Evidence supporting the use of: Balsam pear
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Balsam pear (Momordica charantia), also known as bitter melon, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Asia and Africa. In traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, balsam pear has been employed to help alleviate digestive issues, including constipation in children. The fruit contains dietary fiber and certain phytochemicals thought to possess mild laxative effects, which may contribute to bowel regularity. However, most of the evidence supporting this use is anecdotal or based on historical practice rather than rigorously controlled clinical trials.
There is a lack of robust scientific studies specifically investigating the efficacy and safety of balsam pear for treating constipation in children. Existing research on Momordica charantia has focused mainly on its antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, with little attention given to its potential as a laxative. As such, while there is a traditional precedent for its use in this context, scientific validation is minimal. Caution should be exercised, especially in pediatric populations, due to the potential for adverse effects and a lack of dosing guidelines.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)
2'-Fucosyllactosealoe vera
apple
apricot
bacillus coagulans
bamboo
basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blackberry
blueberry
bасора
carrot
chamomile
chicory
cinnamon
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
grape
green banana
guar gum
cellulose
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
mannitol
moringa
nettle
orange
pear
phellodendron amurense
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
raspberry
rhizome
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
tomato
triphala
almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
seaweed
watermelon
squawvine
cascara sagrada
tangerine
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
blackboard tree
root tuber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
polyphenols
senna
peach
indigo leaves
soursop
Agar
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Amomum
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Bitter Grass
Bael
Butternut
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Coconut
Curry leaf
Cascaroside
Cactus
Cynomorium
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cyclanthera pedata
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthrone
Date
Eclipta
Fig
Fiber
Galangal
Phosphate Salt
Rhubarb
Wheat
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Balsam pear
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Acne
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gout
Hangover
Headache (general)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Indigestion
Infection
Inflammation
Kidney Stones
Liver Detoxification
Malaria
Parasites (general)
Parasites (nematodes, worms)
Parasites (tapeworm)
Skin (infections)
Wounds and Sores