Momordica charantia is a member of the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family, and a relative of squash, watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber.

Known as the 'Sugar Destroyer', this herb is historically given in cases of Diabetes and related conditions for blood-sugar control. Used as a tea, decoction or food additive.

The vegetable karela or bitter gourd or hairy mordica helps to lower blood glucose levels. British researchers have called this 'plant insulin.' They have found that eating karela over long periods significantly lowers sugar levels in the blood and urine.

Throughout history, the extracts of karela have been used in natural medicine of their purifying qualities. Karela is a blood purifier, activates spleen and liver and is highly beneficial in diabetes. It is a purgative, appetizer, digestive, anti inflammatory, anti flatulent and has healing capacity.

The karela has a strong bitter taste and can be compared to taking cod liver oil by the spoonful.

'The mineral and amino acid analysis showed that the bitter gourd contained nutritionally useful quantities of the most essential mineral and amino acids. The blood sugar once lowered after 30 days did not increase even after 15 days of discontinuation of the treatment.'* *Journal of Ethnopharmacology 15(1):107-17 1986 Jan.

'Investigations were carried out to evaluate the effect of Momordica charantia on the glucose tolerance of maturity onset diabetic patients. The juice of Momordia charantia was found to significantly improve the glucose tolerance of 73% of the patients investigated while the other 27% failed to respond.'* *Journal of Ethnopharmacology 17(3):277-82 1986 Sept.

'The effect of Karela (Momordica charantia), a fruit indigenous to South America and Asia, on glucose and insulin concentrations was studied in nine non-insulin-dependent diabetics and six non-diabetic rats. These results show that karela improves glucose tolerance in diabetes. Doctors supervising Asian diabetics should be aware of the fruit's hypoglycemic properties.'* *British Medical Journal-Clinical Research 282(6279); 1823-4 1981 June 6.

'An aqueous extract from the unripe fruits of the tropical plant Momordica charantia was found to be potent stimulator of insulin release from beta cell rich pancreatic islets isolated from obese-hyperglycemic mice. Studies of 45 Ca fluxes suggest that the insulin releasing action is a result of perturbations of membrane functions. In support for the idea of direct effects on membrane lipids, the action of the extract was found to mimic that of saponin.'* *Acta Biologica et Medica Germanica 41(12):1229-40 1982.

'The Bitter Melon or Balsam Pear, is cultivated as a tropical vegetable in South America, Asia, and Africa where it has been used as a traditional therapy for diabetes in a variety of cultures of these countries. Further investigation has confirmed the ability of the fresh juice from the unripe fruit of the bitter melon to lower blood sugar. One isolate of Momorica, Charantin is a mixture of steroidal glycosides and compares favorably to tolbutamide, an allopathic drug commonly used as a oral hypoglycemic agent. Another isolate, polypeptide-P has been shown to lower blood glucose when administered via subcutaneous injections. A variety of oral extracts have been shown to lower blood sugar and improve glucose tolerance in both human and animal studies. Evidence suggests that a constituent in Momordica, or the sum of all the constituents have an insulin-like activity themselves and do not directly alter existing insulin levels.'* *Chakravarthy BK, Gupa S, and Gode KD: Functional beta cell regeneration in the islets of Pancreas in alloxan induced dibetic rats by epicatechin. Life Sc 31:2693-7, 1982

This is Plum Flower brand's nitrogen-flushed vacuum pack.

Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world.

Sulfur Free, Chlorine Free, Aluminum Phosphate Free.

Sulfites are used to give herbs the appearance of freshness. As with dried fruit, unsulfured herbs look different than those that are adulterated with preservatives. Herbs that are preservative free are more natural looking and are generally darker. The brightness of the herbs may be appealing, but it indicates the presence of harmful additives. Despite their appearance, unsulfured herbs are more fresh and safer than regular commercially available products.

The use of sulfur, chlorine and aluminum phosphate was made unnecessary through the establishment of Plum Flower processing stations in China. Herb harvesters slice and process the herbs fresh, avoiding the need to rehydrate dried herbs later to process. This first step is crucial, as rehydration leads to decomposition and thus the need for preservatives.

The herbs are then packed and the packages vacuum-packed, injected with nitrogen, and sealed. The nitrogen process combined with the lack of sulfur treatment inhibits the growth of anaerobic organisms, resulting in safer, higher quality herbs. After opening, store in a cool dry place.

The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval.

Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes.

The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.