Hannisah S.

Sadic Proposal III Saint Jose Rubio June 27, 2011

Investigatory Project

Ampalaya as an alternative ingredient to Coffee and Sweets

Momordica Charantia
Ampalaya is a vegetable grown throughout the Philippines. It is mostly cultivated, although wild forms can be found. It grows wild in the remote areas of Mt. Banahaw. As the English name suggests (bitter melon), the melon has a bitter taste due to the presence of momordicin. There has been much research done on the effectiveness of using Momordica Charantia in the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to increase production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the bodys ability to produce insulin. It has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as one of the best herbal medicines for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV. It is a common herb used in Chinese herbology. In the Philippines, the leaves are often used for children's coughs. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility in women, as a parasiticide, as an antipyretic, and as a purgative.
http://ampalaya.com/

Bitterness of Ampalaya
Ampalaya also known as bitter melon and with a scientific name of Momordica charantia. It is bitter cause it has a type of alkaloid called Momordicine. The substance can be found in fruit, seeds,leaves, and stems. If you are a bitter hater, then you cannot eat all four parts. The scientific name Momordica charantia when separated are famous name of health supplements. Who among you never know the Charantia 500 mg all natural ampalaya capsules. Diabetic individuals who cannot withstand bitterness often opt for this food supplement. The word momordicine and momordica sound the same. Indeed cause the genus momoridica might be derived from from the latter. Momordicine is a popular food supplement for diabetic. Some say it is a propriety formulation but the probability that they extracted it from ampalaya is very high. http://www.foodrecap.net/bytes/bitter-ampalaya/

Ampalaya, often called the bitter fruit, is the Philippine name for the bitter gourd or balsam pear. A vine melon or gourd, it is grown in many subtropical climates. Though considered the most bitter of all fruits, it is edible. In appearance, this fruit looks like a deeply ridged cucumber, but the flavor is extremely bitter, especially in smaller, younger less ripe specimen. Salting the ampalaya reduces the bitterness level of the fruit and makes it more palatable. http://www.ehow.com/how_8143400_rid-bitternessampalaya.html#ixzz1QMMeKnn6

Coffee and Pulvoron made out of Ampalaya seeds

Researchers from Father Urios High School, Byugan, Agusan Del Sur developed coffee and pulvoron out of ampalaya seeds. They are Ma. Liza Lamanilao and Venus Sejalbo. The amplaya seeds that are just being thrown away are now made into coffee, pulvoron and decorative materials. The awesome discovery may discourage the use of commercial coffee that has no nutritive value. This is also developed to answer the serious need for a very economical, nutritious and at the same time a medicinal coffee. Ampalaya seeds contains iron and folic acid or Vit. B12 which are essential for the production of the red blood cells and the formation of myoglobin and hemoglobin and was found out that this is good for dysmenorrheal and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). Provides the daily need of iron in the body and good for diabetics. To make coffee, just collect ampalaya seeds, remove the shells, and toast the seeds until their color will turn brown and pound them you have already a caffeine free coffee. Aside from coffee, you can also make nutritious pulvoron by toasting again the granules together with milk and sugar. http://www.foodrecap.net/recipe/ampaya-coffee-pulvoron/

Uses and Health Benefits of Ampalaya

1) Crevost and Petelot stated that the seeds with oil can be employed as a cosmetic. 2) Dalziel reports that the root is sometimes used as an ingredient in aphrodisiac prescriptions and, along with the fruit or seeds, is also used as an abortifacient, as well as a remedy for urethral discharges. Warning!: Abortifacient a drug (or other chemical agent) that causes abortion. Pregnant women should never take it. 3) Perrot and Hurrier mention that in Indo-China the seeds are employed with success in dysentery an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea. 4) Stuart reports that the seeds benefit the breath and invigorate the male principle. 5) Dalziel quotes Freise [Aoth, Zeit. 44 (1929) 1480], who says that the seeds are used in Brazil as an anthelmintic. Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk state that the anthelmintic action of the seeds is to reside in the embryo. Anthelmintic a medication capable of causing the evacuation of parasitic intestinal worms. 6) Can be used as purgative. The seeds yield 32 per cent of purgative oil. Purgative a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels. 7) According to Yumiko Yasui ampalaya seeds have linolenic acid that can kill color cancer. 8) The seed also contain Polypeptide-p, a plant insulin that helps diabetic patients. 9) For production of coffee and polvoron. http://www.foodrecap.net/health/ampalaya-seed-use/