Balsam apple
Balsam Apple is a common name for several plants and may refer to:
- Momordica balsamina, an annual vine native to tropical Africa, cultivated for its edible fruit and medicinal uses.
- Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon, a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit.
Description[edit | edit source]
The Balsam Apple plant is a vine that grows rapidly and can reach lengths of up to 5 meters. The leaves are deeply lobed and the plant produces yellow flowers. The fruit of the Balsam Apple is oblong and covered in a warty exterior. When ripe, the fruit bursts open to reveal red seeds.
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Balsam Apple is typically grown in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant prefers well-drained soil and a sunny location. It is often grown as an annual, but can be cultivated as a perennial in warmer climates.
Uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit of the Balsam Apple is used in various cuisines. It is often used in stir-fries, soups, and teas. The fruit is also used in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits.
Medicinal Uses[edit | edit source]
In traditional medicine, Balsam Apple is used to treat a variety of ailments. The fruit is believed to have anti-diabetic properties and is used to treat digestive issues. The leaves and vines of the plant are also used in medicinal preparations.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
🌱 | This Cucurbitaceae related article is a stub. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD