I had a meeting with the owner of the Bitter Melon farm and Professor Ye Yang (Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica) the other day. We were discussing testing the efficacy of the Bitter Melon from our farm (they will use it as a reference sample) and future research collaboration (we are planning to go to the local government and request funding for selective breeding programs and clinical studies.)
Then, the professor made an off-hand remark which greatly surprised me. He said that Bitter Melon was traditionally used for 3 things: the first two, I knew, were lowering blood sugar and anti-cancer. The third surprised me: anti-viral, and anti-HIV in particular. He went on to say that some HIV positive patients had gone for years without getting sicker, partially thanks to Bitter Melon.
Really? I had not heard this, so I decided to research it when I had a chance.
And, apparently, it is true. In fact, not only does Bitter Melon have anti-viral and anti-HIV activity [2] and [3]. It also effectively lowers abnormally high blood lipid levels [1] caused by another common HIV-therapy: HIV-1-protease inhibitor. It may even potentially inhibit the transmission of HIV to sexual partners [4].
This is simply remarkable! Here is a perfectly safe, inexpensive, even tasty vegetable which can help someone with AIDS fight the infection and avoid side-effects. This is a remarkable plant and the only question I have is why don't more people know about this?
Do you have AIDS? Or, is someone close to you infected with HIV?
If you think you or your loved one can benefit from Bitter Melon, please get in touch. I will make tablets, tea or powder available to you at my cost. All I ask is that you keep in touch and let me know if it helps you!
I'm serious, so spread the word about this wonderful healing fruit.
Research Citations
1. Br J Pharmacol. 2006 August; 148(8): 1156–1164.,
Lipid lowering effects of Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon) in HIV-1-protease inhibitor-treated human hepatoma cells, HepG2,
Pratibha V Nerurkar, Yun Kyung Lee, Ellen H Linden, Steven Lim, Laurel Pearson, Jennifer Frank and Vivek R Nerurkar
2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 September 12; 92(19): 8818–8822.,
Inhibition of the integrase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 by anti-HIV plant proteins MAP30 and GAP31.,
S Lee-Huang, P L Huang, P L Huang, A S Bourinbaiar, H C Chen, and H F Kung
3. Curr Mol Med. 2009 Dec;9(9):1080-94.,
Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) from Momordica charantia for anti viral therapy.,
Puri M, Kaur I, Kanwar RK, Gupta RC, Chauhan A, Kanwar JR.
This review describes the nature and applications of ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) from Momordica charantia (bitter melon). RIPs from the plant kingdom have received much attention in biomedical research because they target conserved host protein synthesis machinery and show specificity towards human and animal cell targets. Recent studies aimed at unravelling the enzymatic activities of the M charantia RIPs provide a structural basis for their activities. It has been reported that RIPs are member of the single chain ribosome inactivating protein (SCRIP) family which act irreversibly on ribosome by removing adenine residue from eukaryotic ribosomal RNA. Various activities of RIPs include anti-tumor, broad anti-viral, ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease. MAP30 (Momordica Anti-HIV Protein), alpha- and beta-momorcharins inhibit HIV replication in acutely and chronically infected cells and thus are considered potential therapeutic agent in HIV infection and AIDS. Further, MAP30 improved the efficacy of anti-HIV therapy when used in combination with other anti-viral drugs. MAP30 holds therapeutic promise over other RIPs because not only it is active against infection and replication of both HSV and HIV but is non toxic to normal cells. Here we review the nature, action, structure function relationship and applications of RIPs from Momordica charantia and evaluate their potential for anti-cancer and anti-viral therapy.
4. Fertil Steril. 1999 Oct;72(4):686-90.,
The antiviral agents, MAP30 and GAP31, are not toxic to human spermatozoa and may be useful in preventing the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.,
Schreiber CA, Wan L, Sun Y, Lu L, Krey LC, Lee-Huang S.
Organic Bitter Melon Tea Bags
