The efficacy and function of wild bitter melon

There are so many medicinal herbs in the world, and it is inevitable that there are some that we are not familiar with. But as long as we have the spirit of learning throughout our lives, I believe we can slowly learn more medical herbs. So do you know about the medicinal herb wild bitter melon?

[Source] Medicinal material source: the root or whole herb of Trichosanthes kirilowii of the Cucurbitaceae family.

[Original morphology] Trichosanthes kirilowii, a climbing herb. The stem is thin, hairy, with longitudinal ridges and grooves. The petiole is thin, 4-9cm long, with longitudinal stripes, densely covered with soft hairs; the leaf blade is thin papery, ovate, 5-20cm long, 5-13cm wide, undivided, gradually pointed at the apex, deeply cordate at the base, with short pointed serrations on the edge, green on the upper side, sparsely covered with short soft hairs, light green on the back, densely covered with short soft hairs, with 5 palmate veins at the base, and reticular veins. Tendrils dichotomous, pubescent. Flowers are dioecious; male flowers form umbels, about 2 cm long, almost borne from the base, without bracts; flower buds are spherical, calyx tube is funnel-shaped, pubescent, lobes are narrowly triangular, corolla is green, lobes are ovate-elliptical, apex is fringed, stamens are 3, filaments are short; female flowers are solitary, densely pubescent; calyx tube gradually widens from base to apex, about 3 cm long, pubescent, lobes and corolla are the same as male flowers; ovary is elliptical, about 8-10 mm long, densely pubescent. The fruit is oval, 3-3.5cm long, 3.5cm in diameter, smooth and hairless, green with light stripes, and with a short beak at the tip. The flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from May to September.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing under evergreen broad-leaved forests and shrubs at an altitude of 600-1500m.

【Functions and indications】The root can stop malaria; the whole plant can reduce fever and promote diuresis. Mainly used for sores, swelling, fever, edema

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

From the above introduction to wild bitter melon, we can see that wild bitter melon is of great help to the human body. It can improve some bad symptoms of the human body and is a very useful medicinal material for the human body.