Parya/ampalaya
Momordica charantia Linn.
Description
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. Male flower is about 12 millimeters long, and is peduncled, with a rounded, green, and about 1 centimeter long bract approximately at the middle. Female flower is yellow flower, about 15 millimeters long, long-stalked with pair of small leaflike bracts at middle or toward base of stalk. Fruit, in cultivated form, is green, fleshy, oblong, cylindric, 15 to 25 centimeters long, pointed at both ends, ribbed and wrinkled, bursting when mature to release seeds; in wild forms, ovoid, about 2 to 4 centimeters long. Seeds are oblong, compressed 10 to 13 millimeters long, and corrugated on the margins.
Uses
- for chronic colitis, also used for bacillary dysentery
- for hemorrhoids
- or cough and as a purgative and anthelminthic to expel intestinal parasites, and for healing wounds
- or cough and as a purgative and anthelminthic to expel intestinal parasites, and for healing wounds
- as astringent; applied externally to hemorrhoids
- skin diseases, burns and scalds.
Plant Part Used
- Leaves, roots and fruits.
Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- Year-round vegetable, extensively cultivated in the Philippines for its bitter edible fruit.
- Wild forms found in open fields, thickets, and waste places at low and medium altitudes. (See: Ampalayang ligaw)
- Native range is Tropical and Subtropical Old World to S. Pacific.
- Pantropic.
Preparation
- Astringent powdered leaves or root decoction can be applied to hemorrhoids
- Leaf juice for cough and as a purgative and anthelminthic to expel intestinal parasites, and for healing wounds
- Leaf decoction or infusion is taken for colds, as laxative and blood cleanser. Warm tea infusions also used for toothaches and mouth infections. Also used as a bath/wash for skin eruptions and acne
- Steam ampalaya tops (upper four leaves) and eat half a cup twice daily. As a decoction, boil six tablespoons of finely chopped leaves in two glasses of water over low fire (for 15 minutes). Drink 1/3 cup, three times a day, 30 minutes before meals. Don't use aluminum pots (clay or enamel only).