Evidence supporting the use of: Balsam pear
For the health condition: Skin (infections)

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Synopsis

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

Balsam pear, also known as bitter melon (Momordica charantia), has been used traditionally in various cultures, particularly in Asia and Africa, to support skin health and treat skin infections. Folk medicine employs preparations of the fruit, leaves, or seeds as topical applications for wounds, boils, abscesses, and other skin ailments. Ethnobotanical surveys and traditional medical texts document these uses, attributing the plant’s efficacy to its purported antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties.

Scientific studies on the topical use of balsam pear for skin infections are limited and generally preliminary. Some in vitro research indicates that extracts of M. charantia possess antibacterial and antifungal activity against common skin pathogens. For instance, studies have shown inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans by various extracts. However, most of this research has not progressed to clinical trials, and the direct translation of these findings to effective human treatments remains unsubstantiated.

Thus, while balsam pear continues to be used traditionally for skin infections and there is some laboratory evidence supporting antimicrobial activity, robust clinical evidence is lacking. The current support for its use is primarily traditional, with a modest scientific rationale but insufficient clinical validation.

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