1. A tropical annual vine (Momordica charantia) native to Asia, having yellow flowers and orange, warty fruits that open at maturity to expose red-coated seeds. Various parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine or for food. 2. The immature green fruit of this plant, eaten as a vegetable.

Fruits short, spindle shaped, green coloured with smooth regular ribs and moderate bitterness. Yield 9-12 t/ha. Selection from a local collection and suitable for growing during summer. Fruits glossy green medium long and thick. Fruits dark green, club like with 7-8 continuous ribs.

Ampalaya is used as a herbal remedy to protect the liver from damage due to intake of alcohol and other harmful substances. Skin problems. Ampalaya is crushed or rubbed over the skin to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, wounds, burns and ulcers.

Momordica charantia
Bitter melon/Scientific names

You can grow ampalaya in any type of soil. However, the best type and texture of soil for this crop is sandy loam or clay loam with good drainage, high organic matter and with pH ranging from 6 to 6.7. The crop can be planted throughout the year but the best season is from October to February.

It is green to white in colour.

Ampalaya is a climbing vine, nearly or quite smooth, annual vine. Tendrils are simple, up to 20 centimeters long. Leaves are 2.5 to 10 centimeters in diameter, cut nearly to the base into 5 to 7 lobes, oblong-ovate, variously toothed, and heart-shaped at the base.

6 Benefits of Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd) and Its Extract

• Packs Several Important Nutrients. Bitter melon is a great source of several key nutrients.
• Can Help Reduce Blood Sugar.
• May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties.
• Could Decrease Cholesterol Levels.
• May Aid Weight Loss.
• Versatile and Delicious.

The bitter taste of the ampalaya fruit has been the distinguishing factor from the rest of the fruits with medicinal value, and this is due to the presence of a substance known as momorcidin.

Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia), is known in the Philippines as “ampalaya”. It is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae. It is widely grown for its edible fruits and shoots, and for its nutrients and medicinal properties.

Ampalaya, also called Bitter Gourd or Bitter melon, is an abundant vegetable that is famous to every Filipino. A tropical plant commonly grown for its edible fruit, probably among the most bitter of all vegetables on earth which is use widely for medicinal purposes in the Philippines to treat some common ailments particularly diabetes.

Other Uses for Ampalaya The Chinese use it in a variety of soups and teas, as a bitter additive. In India, ampalaya is prepared alongside potatoes and served with yogurt. A traditional Pakistani way too prepare ampalaya is to serve it with onions. In the Philippines, it is used as a stir-fry with ground beef and oyster sauce. In Nepal, the ampalaya is pickled.

Characteristics of the Ampalaya Plant. The ampalaya plant is a tropical plant with slim, climbing vines and long flowering stalks, which appear in July or August. The fruit of these vines emerge in September or October and are long and bumpy, similar to zucchini squash or cucumber.

Ampalaya contains low calories but dense with precious nutrients. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2 , and B3, C, magnesium, folic acid, zinc, phosphorus, manganese , and has high dietary fiber. It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana.