Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd) Teas and Capsules

ABS Herbs Ampalaya Tea
Product of the Philippines 20 teabags (2g/teabag)



All natural. All ampalaya. High fibre health tea. Charagen Ampalaya Tea is 100% natural ampalaya that is rich in essential micronutrients. Ampalaya tea is an important high-fiber dietary adjunct for maintaining healthy blood sugar.


Carica Ampalaya Tea
Product of the Philippines 30 teabags (2g/teabag)


This tea is made from Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaves and fruit. Helps regulate blood sugar. Carica Teas are made from dehydrated leaves, blossoms, flowers, roots and fruits of edible plants and herbs that are naturally-growing. No preservatives, flavorings, sugar or any additives are used.

Gourmet's Ampalaya Tea
Product of the Philippines


Traditionally, Filipinos have always revered the Ampalaya fruit as an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Ampalaya leaves have been used as tropical treatment for skin diseases and wounds. This type of tea works wonders for those who suffer from liver problems or diabetes. It also works well for body detoxification. Gourmet's Teas are made from fresh herbs and vegetables, dried, ground, then packed into tea bags so that all teas retain all their health benefits.

Ampalaya Plus Capsules
Product of the Philippines
90 capsules/box, good for a month use



Ampalaya Plus Delite Herbal Tea
Product of the Philippines
12 sachets/box


Ampalaya Plus is an innovative product composed of three powerful herbs: ampalaya, banaba and luyang dilaw gathered from clean, pollution-free farms. It is a safe and effective product that contains all the goodness and health enhancing benefits of 3 popular herbs in a very convenient capsule or tea form.


Ampalaya Plus is a high quality food supplement specially formulated to combat the ill effects of lifestyle-related conditions caused by excessive weight, physical inactivity, pollution and stress. It provides potent and natural food-based phytochemical protection. It can help control and prevent diabetes, high blood, cholesterol, excessive weight, pimples and acne


Herbs in Ampalaya Plus:


Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) is a nutritional vegetable listed as a medicinal plant in the Philippine Pharmacopoeia. The bitter alkaloid is momodicin (a triterpene glycoside) is the active principle. Radioisotope labeled glucose study had shown that ampalaya increases the utilization of glucose by the liver. A polypeptide-p had also been identified with insulin-like properties and induces the capacity to regenerate pancreatic beta cells in animal models. Ampalaya also has lipid lowering properties in the presence or absence of diabetes with the consequent decrease in triglycerides and cholesterol.


Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a herb tradionally used as a diuretic. It is known to lower blood sugar and helps in reducing weight. The active principle is corosolic acid, a triterpenoid compound, which increases glucose transport. In animal and cell culture studies, there were reductions in blood sugar levels and normalization of insulin levels. With the reduction of blood glucose comes a reduction in body weight even without dietary restrictions.


Luyang Dilaw (Curcuma longa) is a strong natural anti-oxidant. It has been known that turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The anti-inflammatory property may be compared to that of hydrocortisone. This herb is also reported to protect the liver and help maintain liver function in detoxifying (remove toxins) the body. There is evidence to show that luyang dilaw can reduce COX-2 mRNA expression and decrease synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a factor in mechanism of pain, especially joint and muscle pains.

What is Ampalaya?

(Bitter Gourd - Engl.)

A climbing vine with tendrils up to 20 centimeters long. Leaves heart-shaped, 5-10 centimeters in diameter, cut into 5-7 lobes. Male and female yellow flowers, about 15 mm long, long-stalked with pair of small leaflike bracts at middle or toward base of stalk. Fleshy green fruit, oblong with pointed ends, ribbed and wrinkled, bursting when mature to release seeds. Seeds flat with ruminated margins. Probably of Asiatic origin. Year-round vegetable growing in various places from sea level to higher altitudes. Wild forms found in wastelands at low and medium altitudes. Propagation by seeds.

Scientific Names
Mormodica charantia Linn.
Mormodica balsamina Blanco
Mormodica cylindrica Blanco

Distribution
Year-round vegetable, extensively cultivated in the Philippines for its bitter edible fruit. Also found in open fields, thickets, and waste places

Properties
Astringent, vulnerary, parasiticide, anthelmintic, purgative, emetic, antipyretic, febrifuge, emmenagogue, cooling and tonic.

Parts Utilized
Leaves, roots and fruits.

Uses

Folkloric
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. Seeds also be used to expel worms. Juice from fruit is used for dysentery and chronic colitis.The vine or the juice of leaves used as mild purgative for children.In large doses, the fresh juice is a drastic purgative. Decoction of roots and seeds used for urethral discharges. Pounded leaves used for scalds. Infusion of leaves or leaf juice used for fevers.

Nutritional
The leaves and fruit - used as vegetables - are excellent sources of Vitamin B, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. It has twice the amount of beta carotene in broccoli and twice the calcium content of spinach. Characteristically bitter-tasting, slight soaking in salty water before cooking removes some of the bitter taste of the fruit.

Recent Use
Diabetes Mellitus. A Philippine herb that has recently gained international recognition for its possible benefits in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite its bitter taste, it has also become a popular nutritional drink to boost vim and vigor. In fact, the more bitter, the better, as it is believed that the bitterness is proportionate to its potency. Studies have suggested that ampalaya contains a hypoglycemic polypeptide, a plant insulin responsible for its blood sugar lowering effect. Other benefits suggested were body detoxification (including removal of nicotine), strengthening of the immune system and fertility regulation. It is increasingly recommended as an adjunct or supplement to traditional therapeutic regimens for diabetes mellitus.

Culinary Uses
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).

Toxicity
None known.

Availability
Wild-crafted
Perennial vegetable market produce
Tablets (Amargozin by Altermed/Pascual Laboratories)
Recently, available in capsule formulation Charagen Ampalaya

Source: www.stuartxchange.org

About the Philippines

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas), officially the Republic of the Philippines (Republika ng Pilipinas; RP), is an archipelagic nation located in Southeast Asia, with Manila as its capital city. The Philippine Archipelago comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country, with a population of 88 million.

GEOGRAPHY

The Philippines constitutes an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (116,000 sq mi). It lies between 116° 40' and 126° 34' E. longitude, and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude, and borders the Philippine Sea on the east, on the South China Sea the west, and the Celebes Sea on the south. The island of Borneo lies a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan directly north. The Moluccas and Sulawesi are to the south, and Palau is to the east beyond the Philippine Sea

The islands are commonly divided into three island groups: Luzon , Visayas , and Mindanao . The busy port of Manila, on Luzon, is the national capital and second largest city after its suburb Quezon City.

CLIMATE

The local climate is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5 °CF). There are three recognized seasons: Tag-init or Tag-araw (the hot season or summer from March to May), Tag-ulan (the rainy season from June to November), and Taglamig (the cold season from December to February). The southwest monsoon (79.7 ° (May-October) is known as the "habagat" and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November-April) as the "amihan".

LANGUAGES

More than 180 languages and dialects are spoken in the archipelago. According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino and English are both the official languages. Many Filipinos understand, write and speak English, Filipino and their respective regional languages. Filipino is the de facto standardized version of Tagalog and one of the nation's official languages. English, the other official language, is widely used as a lingua franca throughout the country. English was imposed by Americans during the U.S. intervention and colonization of the archipelago. English is used in education, churches, religious affairs, print and broadcast media, and business, though the number of people who use it as a second language far outnumber those who speak it as a first language. Still, English is the preferred medium for textbooks and instruction for secondary and tertiary levels. Movies and TV programs in English are not subtitled but many films and TV programs are produced in Tagalog. English is the sole language of the law courts.

Twelve major regional languages are the auxiliary official languages of their respective regions, each with over one million speakers: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, Kapampangan, Bikol, Pangasinan. Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao and Tausug.

RELIGION

The Philippines is one of only two majority Roman Catholic countries in Asia (the other being East Timor). About 94% of Filipinos are Christians, where 81% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 2% composed of Protestant denominations and 11% either to the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan), Iglesia ni Cristo and others. While Christianity is a major force in the culture of the Filipinos, indigenous traditions and rituals still influence religious practice.

Approximately 5% of Filipinos are Muslims, and are locally known as "Moros", having been dubbed this by the Spanish due to their sharing Islam with the Moors of North Africa. They primarily settle in parts of Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu archipelago, but are now found in most urban areas of the country.

CULTURE

Filipino culture is a fusion of pre-Hispanic indigenous Austronesian civilizations of the Philippines mixed with Hispanic and American cultures. It has also been influenced by Chinese and Islamiccultures.

The Hispanic influences in Filipino culture are largely derived from the culture of Spain and Mexico as a result of over three centuries of Spanish colonial rule through Mexico City. These Hispanic influences are most evident in literature, folk music, folk dance, language, food, art and religion, such as Roman Catholic Church religious festivals. Filipinos hold major festivities known as barrio fiestas to commemorate their patron saints. One of the most visible Hispanic legacy, is the prevalence of Spanish surnames among Filipinos. This peculiarity, unique among the people of Asia, came as a result of a colonial decree for the systematic distribution of family names and implementation of the Spanish naming system on the inhabitants of the Philippines. A Spanish name and surname among the majority of Filipinos does not always denote of Spanish ancestry. Only about 1% to 2% of the population (mostly Filipinos of Spanish and Mexican origin) would qualify as Hispanic by ancestry.

There are also significant amounts of Spanish influence in the country, such as names of countless streets, towns and provinces, which are named in Spanish. Spanish architecture also made a major imprint in the Philippines. This can be seen especially in the country's churches, government buildings and universities. Many Hispanic style houses and buildings are being preserved, like the Spanish colonial town in Vigan City, for protection and conservation. Kalesa is a horse-driven carriage introduced by the Spaniards and was a major mode of transportation during the colonial times. It is still being used today. Filipino cuisine is also heavily influenced by Mexican and Spanish cuisine.

The Chinese influences in Filipino culture are most evident in Filipino cuisine. The prevalence of noodles, known locally as mami, is a testament to Chinese cuisine.

The use of English language in the Philippines is contemporaneous and is America's visible legacy. The most commonly played sports in the Philippines are basketball and billiards. There is also a wide influence of American Pop cultural trends, such as the love of fast-food and movies; many street corners boast fast-food outlets. Modern day Filipinos also listen to contemporary American music and watch American movies. However, Original Pilipino Music (also known as OPM) and Philippine movies are also widely appreciated.

Filipinos honor national heroes whose works and deeds contributed to the shaping of the Filipino nation. José Rizal is the most celebrated ilustrado, a Spanish-speaking reformist visionary whose writings contributed greatly in nurturing a sense of national identity and awareness. His novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo originally written in Spanish, are required readings for Filipino students, and provide vignettes of colonial life under the Spanish rule.

As with many cultures, music (which includes traditional music) and leisure activities are an important aspect of the Filipino society. Various sports are also enjoyed, including boxing, basketball, badminton, billiards, football (soccer) and ten-pin bowling being popular games in the country.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia