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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.



Melon, Bitter Indochinese
Momordica cochinchinensis
mù bei zi
imageImage
Also see: Bitter Apple

WARNING! PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY!

RELATED SPECIES:
Momordica grosvenori image was used as an expectorant and lymphatic cleanser.

MEDICINAL:
The poisonous seeds were used externally for skin eruptions and infections, hemorrhoids, enlarged lymph nodes, chest complaints, liver and spleen disorders, piles, maleria, wounds, bruises and swellings, dysentary, enteritis, mastitis, moles, mumps, and worms.
Seeds considered aperient and have been used for obstructions of the liver and spleen, also sores, and ulcers. They were also used for cancer and tumors.
The leaves were used externally on indurations of liver and spleen, and for malignant ulcers and tumors.
According to the ancient Chinese K'ai Pao Pentts'ao (973 AD) the seed was used for cancer.




©2001 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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