Momordika - medicinal properties and application

This fruit is also called Indian pomegranate, bitter melon, balsamic pear, yellow cucumber. Momordica belongs to exotic herbaceous plants, lovingly created by nature, in order to be useful to a person and to please the eye with oneself.

Plant features

Momordica grows in tropical conditions - in China, India, Indonesia, South America, the Philippines, its homeland is Southeast Asia. Crimea also boasts some types of yellow cucumbers. Indian pomegranate is considered to be a relative of vegetables familiar to everyone in the CIS countries - pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini. Momordica grows on vines, reaching about 5 meters in length. They look quite aesthetically pleasing and even impressive. Carved leaves of the plant, when touched, slightly “bite” the fingers. It is thanks to this that the momordica got its “biting” name. Inflorescences are yellow in color and have a subtle aroma that insects like.

The shape of the fruit is similar to cucumbers and in some cases causes associations with an oblong pumpkin. When they ripen, their initially slightly yellow color gradually becomes more saturated, acquiring an orange hue. The peel of momordiki looks like a chestnut, it is all strewn with a lot of small and prickly pimples. The ripened fruit is cracked into several parts, its dark red pericarp is exposed. Amazingly beautiful, momordiki seeds are brown in color and original patterns in the Indian style. To taste, the fruits are somewhat reminiscent of persimmons and a little melon.

Nutritional characteristics

It is customary to eat the flesh of momordiki. But in the recipes of traditional medicine, you can use absolutely all its parts, including peel, seeds and even “biting” leaves. They contain a whole complex of vitamins and minerals, which are very useful for the human body.

• Proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
• Amino acids.
• Alkaloids.
• Vitamins of groups A, B, E, C, and F.
• Mineral salts, phosphorus and calcium.
• Phenols, oils, resins, saponins.
• Folic and nicotinic acid.
• Quarantine is a natural compound that helps reduce sugar concentration.

Culinary properties

Seeds with a high content of essential oils are used as aromatic seasoning for various dishes, in baked goods and confectionery.

Indian pomegranate is necessarily present in the popular Indian curry seasoning. Many interesting and unusual dishes can be prepared from momordiki. If you want to please home and surprise guests, original recipes will come to the rescue.

Momordica stuffed

Cut the fruit in half and peel the pulp. Boil the rice lightly and add ground beef to it. There, to taste, use your favorite seasonings, best suited: thyme, tarragon, zira. Stuff the prepared fruits with minced meat with rice and seasonings. Place them in a container suitable for stewing.Pour water (you can broth) to the level of the contents of the container, salt and season with pepper. Simmer on low heat for about 35 minutes until tender. Instead of water, you can use liquid cream or sour cream of low fat content.

You can also bake stuffed momordica in the oven by cutting it across or along.

Momordika pickled

Momordik should be washed and cut into slices. Put them in a non-metallic container. Currant leaves, a couple of cloves of garlic, several branches of dill, allspice black pepper add to the slices of momordiki. Prepare the marinade: stir a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of sugar in a liter of water, add half a glass of natural apple or wine vinegar. Pour the marinade into a stainless steel or enameled pan, bring to a boil and pour the fruits. The dish is ready for use after two days. Great as a snack for the festive table.

Thus, it is possible to harvest long-term momordics by pre-sterilizing the cans.

In addition to stewing and pickling with Indian pomegranate, you can cook a huge variety of simple and very unusual dishes. Adding momordica, having previously fried it in your usual scrambled eggs, you can have breakfast quickly and healthy, while getting a boost of energy and positive for the whole day.

Healing properties

Traditional medicine has long recognized this plant. Therefore, on its basis, a large number of medicines manufactured using the latest technologies are produced. Basically, these drugs are homeopathic.

Since ancient times, Chinese healers use the properties of momordic, using as an antiseptic and immunomodulating substance.

1. She treats infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, colds and viral diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract.
2. This plant is justifiably located on the list of those drugs that help strengthen the immune system.
3. The native population of America used momordica to cure measles, scabies, and hepatitis.
4. Due to its properties, it has a demand when it is bitten by a snake or a harmful insect.
5. Momordica is also used to fight internal parasitic worms (worms).
6. It is useful for those who suffer from asthma, arthritis, leukemia and even oncology.
7. The use of fruits and seeds in food allows you to remove cholesterol, cleanse the circulatory system, prevent heart attack and stroke.
8. The healing possibilities of the Indian pomegranate will help improve or restore vision, cure psoriasis, renal and hepatic pathologies, and restore male strength.
9. The leaves and fruits of the plant contain an extremely useful and rare substance - quarantine. The pancreas, whose cells produce insulin, needs it. It is for them that quarantine is of great importance.
10. The amazing healing properties of momordiki have a positive effect on the endocrine system. Its use helps to normalize blood sugar levels, which is extremely important for people who suffer from diabetes.

Cooking Healing Infusion

To prepare a medicinal tincture, you need to take the fruits of momordic. Separate the flesh from the peel, chop into cubes and place in a large non-metallic container, about three liters in volume. Then pour vodka into the dishes, about 500 ml, it should completely cover the contents of the container. Cover the infusion with a tight lid and stand in the refrigerator for two weeks. To use tincture of Mammordica is required 30 minutes before a meal, 1 tsp. three times a day.

Take this remedy for colds and infectious diseases to increase the body's defenses. The positive effect of such a drink is important for rheumatism, as well as for other inflammations.

Cooking a healing broth

To make a healing broth from momordiki, you need to take its seeds in an amount of 20-25 pieces. They need to grind. You can do this manually or with a blender. Pour 300 ml of water into a small saucepan and put on fire. After the water boils, add pre-prepared raw materials to it and boil over low heat for 10 minutes after boiling. Next, cover and leave for about 1 hour. Take a decoction of 50 ml 3-4 times a day.

Such a tool is extremely effective as a diuretic. It is indicated for use to lower body temperature and to relieve swelling.

The leaves of momordiki in the form of tinctures and decoctions are used for cosmetic purposes for the skin of the face. They have a rejuvenating, tonic, antiseptic effect. The skin after using such a product acquires firmness, elasticity, freshness. The pores narrow and become less noticeable, the face looks rested and velvet.

The use of vitamin-rich infusions inside enriches the body with nutrients. The condition of the hair and nails improves, the health of the teeth is maintained.

Fruits have low calorie content and decent taste with the most saturated with useful and necessary substances composition. In 100 grams of the product, only about 20 calories. Therefore, it is recommended to include it in the diet for people who want to lose weight.

Contraindications

Despite the utter utility of momordiki, it still does not need to be abused so as not to harm. If you eat a lot of this fruit, then you can get unpleasant symptoms similar to poisoning: dizziness, weakness, and nausea.

Saturated with vitamins and minerals, the composition of Indian pomegranates may not be useful for everyone. With the exception of people with individual allergic reactions, momordic should be used with extreme caution:

• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Children under 3 years and older.
• People suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
• Those who have previously observed individual allergic reactions to exotic fruits.

Video: Momordic application