I have nostalgic memories of bathing with cerasee for several days to cure eczema outbreaks on my legs. I was only eight years old and it was such an embarrassing affair for me going to school.
'My elders' had convinced my parents to use this 'bush' on me for seven days to clear up the eczema. Before the cerasee treatment, I was medically treated, for weeks, yet the eczema re-appeared constantly. Cerasee was used externally and it's weak teas given to me daily and that put the problem to rest within nine days. Even today, I am still without a spot on my legs. Such an experience motivated me later in life to really investigate the values of herbs.
Bitter melon or cerasse is a pan-cultural herb used throughout the tropics and found to be a potent remedy for diabetes. It is native to China, found in India, the West Indies, Brazil, Haiti, the Congo and in parts of the United States. The fruit is melon shaped and yellow with red seeds on the inside, and sweet to taste. It is used as a vegetable but the vine and leaves are bitter to taste.
In Brazil, the plant is used for malignant ulcers and tumours; the Arubians take the tea for hypertension, the Hondurans as a cleanser for colds and fever. In Jamaica, it is popularly used for colds, constipation, menstrual pains, fever and stomach ache. In India, the plant is used for scabies, psoriasis and other skin diseases successfully. Recently, in China, bitter melon attained recognition as a mono-herbal medicine for diabetes mellitus.
Scientific Research Data
Some research scientists have found response in immune systemic maladies, particularly HIV and AIDS, as well as inhibition of cell growth in tumours from cerasee use.
Researchers in Hong Kong have discovered two proteins in the seeds of the bitter melon which were shown to modulate the activity of both T- and B-lymphocytes.
Pregnant mothers or those desiring to become pregnant must not take bitter melon as a tea.
Researchers in the United Kingdom have identified that oral administration of the fruit juice causes a reduction in fasting blood glucose and improves glucose tolerance in normal and diabetic animals and in humans. There are no reports on liver damage in humans despite widespread use of the fruit medicinally and as a vegetable. Evidence from India reported that three to seven-week treatment with diabetics.
The juice of the fruit and leaves inhibits the growth of herpes simplex and tumours; they also demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects.
This humble plant has indeed made an impact on people's well-being internationally.
Dr. Diane Robertson is a pharmacist and recipient of an honorary doctorate in complementary medicine for her work in herbs; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
