Evidence supporting the use of: Bitter Melon
For the health condition: Malaria

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including those in Asia and Africa, for a variety of ailments, among them malaria. Traditional healers have employed bitter melon extracts and decoctions as a remedy for fever and parasitic infections, which includes malaria, primarily due to its perceived antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic effects. This use is documented in ethnobotanical surveys and traditional pharmacopeias, especially in regions where malaria is endemic and access to pharmaceutical antimalarial drugs may be limited.

There is some preliminary scientific interest in the antiplasmodial properties of bitter melon, with a few in vitro studies suggesting mild activity against Plasmodium species. However, these studies are limited in number and generally do not reach the potency or efficacy standards required for clinical use. No large-scale, high-quality human trials have confirmed its safety or efficacy for malaria treatment or prevention. Thus, while the plant is used traditionally for malaria, the scientific evidence does not robustly support its use beyond this context, and it should not replace proven antimalarial therapies.

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