Coming to the market or to the supermarket, looking at the fruit and vegetable blossoms, each of us, probably, thinks about what generous gifts the nature pantry keeps in itself. Not all of them grow in our country. Some are unknown to us until a certain time, but, as medical research shows, almost every fruit or vegetable brings invaluable benefits to our body. For example, do you know what amazing properties Indian pomegranate - momordica possesses ?! However, this fruit has many names. Someone calls it a yellow cucumber, someone a Chinese melon.
Meet Momordica
The fruit, which has so many different names, actually belongs to the Pumpkin family and is a distant relative of the zucchini familiar to us. At least the fact that in ancient times in China only members of the imperial family could taste it can speak of its value. And in India, he was considered a plant of the Gods. Ancient Asians (namely Asia is considered the birthplace of this fruit) deservedly appreciated its useful properties. It does not bother to get to know them and us. So what kind of fruit is it - momordica?
Title Secrets
An interesting plant, which today is actively grown in India, on the Caribbean islands, in China, is a winding annual. Some of its species can be found in the Crimea. Of course, many of us want to know what momordica is, how to use it. But are you not interested in the mysterious name? In fact, it goes back to the Latin verb, translated as “bite”. But this is not connected with the method of eating the fetus, but with its appearance. The fact is that the leaves of the plant resemble animal bites in their form.
The appearance of momordiki
Indian pomegranate is more like an elongated pumpkin or an oblong cucumber. At first, the fruits are green, but as they ripen, they turn yellow, and then saturated orange. All of them are dotted with warts. A ripe plant tends to crack at the bottom, exposing small growths in which the seeds are located. Momordica can also be recognized by its pleasant aroma during flowering. Her yellow flowers exude a smell like blooming jasmine.
The chemical composition of the fetus
This tropical plant, stepping into our latitudes, is not in vain considered such a useful and unique fruit. After all, momordica truly stores a storehouse of the substances we need. Moreover, not only its fruits are appreciated, but also all the other parts of the plant: root, stem, leaves. What is so rich in momordica? The beneficial properties of the plant are explained by its composition.
- The red shell of the fetus, in which the seed is enclosed, contains carotene-rich oil. Everyone knows that this substance in our body turns into vitamin A, which hardly anyone will argue about the benefits.
- Plant seeds are also rich in lycopene. It is the strongest antioxidant of all that exists today. Moreover, in our body, it can only come with food.
- Laboratory studies have proven the presence of triterpene saponins in the root of momordica. And these substances are simply indispensable in the treatment of rheumatism.
- And, of course, one can not help but recall the volatile, which kill numerous viruses and bacteria.
- And take quarantine, which lowers blood sugar? It turns out that the fruit is a natural medicine, the use of which is very useful for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes.
Momordica: how to use?
Unfortunately, this fruit cannot boast of pleasant taste. It is rather bitter, so it is more often used in pharmacology than in cooking. However, it can also be eaten. Quite often, this plant is used in Asian cuisine.
How to eat momordica? It all depends on what exactly you decide to use.
The pulp is recommended to be used unripe, then it resembles a cucumber to taste. But when the fruit ripens, it becomes soft, but bitter. To make the taste more neutral, the pulp is often boiled in salt water. And then momordica can be added to bean dishes as a spice.
The situation is different with the seeds of the plant. They are sweet but quite tough. True, if they are subjected to heat treatment, the seeds will become softer. Most often they are fried. In Asian cuisine, this is an indispensable ingredient for all kinds of salads and stews.
However, not only seeds and fruits are given to people by momordica. How to use its leaves? Young, fresh shoots are a great addition to vinaigrettes. They can also serve as the basis for medicinal soups and delicious borsch. This fruit has a high nutritional value. But, to everything else, momordica is a low-calorie product. Its 100 grams contains no more than 20 kilocalories. After all, it practically (85%) consists of water.
The value of momordic in the treatment of various diseases
It is clear that a plant having such a composition saturated with useful substances can be of great benefit.
- Thanks to carotene, which contains momordic, the use of this fruit helps to increase immunity and restore vigilant vision.
- Substances that were found in the juice of this plant can stop the growth of cancer cells. This product is especially effective for pancreatic cancer.
- Mammordica root is actively used for bronchitis as an expectorant.
- Plant seeds can significantly lower cholesterol. In addition, they serve as an excellent prophylactic for heart diseases.
- Mammordica leaf extract can destroy not only common staphylococci, but even HIV.
The list of diseases in which this fetus helps is quite extensive. That is why momordica is so appreciated. You can check the beneficial properties of this plant on yourself. But first, it's best to consult a doctor.
Contraindications
Even if you know firsthand how useful Momordica is, how to use this plant, do not forget that in some cases it is better to refuse to use it. For example, during pregnancy or lactation. Still, it is an exotic vegetable, and it is not known how it can affect your child. In addition, its use is not recommended for those who have an individual intolerance to this fetus.
Momordica in folk medicine
Tropical guest has long been widely used not only in pharmacology. She found her fans among those who prefer recipes of traditional medicine.
- Are you having problems with your stomach or intestines? In this case, the seeds of momordica will help you. Use them raw. Half an hour before eating, chew 3 seeds, seizing them with a spoon of honey. It is advisable to do this 3 times (before main meals). It is necessary to be treated within 9 days.
- But for healing from the flu or colds, tincture from momordiki is used. Make it easy. Tightly fill a three-liter jar with fruits that must first be cleaned of seeds. Add half a liter of vodka to the container, close the lid and put in a dark place for a couple of weeks. It is better to drink a healing potion on an empty stomach, about half an hour before a meal (1 teaspoon each). This should be done within 3 days.
- A decoction from the seeds of this plant is also appreciated. Grind about 20 pieces and pour boiling water. Hold the mixture for 10 minutes on low heat. Let it brew and strain. You need to consume a quarter cup at least 3-4 times a day. This remedy helps with fever and hemorrhoids. It can also be used as a diuretic.
Growing Momordiki
Despite the fact that it is an overseas vegetable, some amateur gardeners manage to grow it in our latitudes. True, only 2 types are suitable for this - “Indian pomegranate” and “balsamic pear”.
If you decide that this miracle fruit should settle in your dacha, try to get seeds of a dark color. They are considered to be ripe, and, therefore, you can not worry about germination. You can sow momordica either in March or in April. It is usually transplanted into open ground in May, but only if the thermometer is already confidently showing +25 degrees. Indeed, momordica comes from the tropics, which means it is a thermophilic plant. Momordica rises on about the 10-15th day. But the fruits fully ripen only by the end of August.
Do not forget that this plant is picky enough, so you can get a good harvest only if it is grown on fertile soil. Therefore, it is good to use organic fertilizers. It is especially effective to make them for digging the soil.
Mineral fertilizers give good results. Feel free to please the plant with superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride.
And remember that momordica is a vine. So she needs support. For this purpose, you can use the trellis. The plant will be well lit and give a rich harvest. When momordica lacks nutrition or light, the ovary crumbles. But even if the fruits can be preserved, they will be small.
Often this plant is grown as a room culture (on the balcony or window sill). Do not forget to look after him, and it will delight you with a rich harvest.
An amazing and healthy fruit is Momordica. People who have already encountered her will confirm her healing qualities.