Cerasee, the Bitter Herb that Works

Hi ya! Feeling healthy today? I certainly hope you are - but just in case you're not, I may have the answer. First things first though. Fill your mug with some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and snag a virtual treat to munch on while I tell you about Cerasee...

Cerasee, scientifically known as "Momordica charantia," is a very bitter herb, but like every other bitter herb, it purifies the blood and the body.

It is a native to Africa and the Middle East and can today be found in almost every parts of the world. The yellow fruit with the red seeds, know as bitter melon, can be eaten as well as they can be cooked, which is popularly used in Chinese dishes.

The leaves and fruit were used to make soups and stews, it is the most popularly used herb in Jamaica, and has proven to work for whatever it is used for. Older folks tend to use it more that younger folks and will most times recommend it for whatever ailment they think it is good for.

The number one medicinal benefit is for the cure of abdominal pains. A small bundle of the leaves with vines and some ginger, boiled to make a tea with a little sugar or honey added is very effective. Some people like it better without any sweetener, which is in fact the best way.

A tea made from the leaves and vines is used to treat parasitic worms, liver problems, as a tonic, and as a blood and body cleanser. This herb has detoxifying properties and is used as a wash out to purge the body.

The leaves crushed and rubbed (to get the juice extracted) in a bath with water is used to bathe in to treat skin ailments such as rashes, atopic dermatitis (eczema), sores, and naturally to give your skin a cleaner more refined look.

A recent study looked at a compound called “kuguaglycoside C” that’s in the leaves of cerasee. They found that the extract killed off cancer cells of the nerve tissue (neuroblastoma) in just 48 hours.

One of the ways it works is by increasing “apoptosis-inducing factor” or AIF inside the cancer cells. This stops the cancer cells from making energy, and tells them to shut down and die off.

Another compound in cerasee called DMC works to kill breast cancer tumor cells. Extracts of cerasee also fight hepatitis B, and kill off liver cancer cells.

A fatty acid that’s in both the fruit and the seeds called alpha-eleostearic acid kills off leukemia cells and colon cancer cells as well.

The leaves are also an excellent choice for skin problems. Researchers have discovered that cerasee interferes with an enzyme that’s been linked to psoriasis.

For many skin problems, or even just to have naturally healthier and cleaner skin, crush cerasee leaves and add them to your bath.

The Maroon healers traditionally use cerasee for diabetes – although they didn’t understand the causes or progression of the disease. Still, they made a good choice, because cerasee contains a compound that helps normalize blood sugar – a major problem for diabetics.

Very effective in relieving constipation, fevers and colds in children.

The tea decreases menstrual cramps can also treat urinary tract infections.

Cerasee contains nutrients like iron, vitamins A and C, phosphorous and alkaloids, thus its effectiveness in treating many ailments.

You can also purchase this medicinal herb in supermarkets and health food stores. It is dried and sold in plastic wraps or sold as tea bags. This bitter herb can also be steamed like a vegetable if it is too difficult for you to consume it as a tea.

Looking out for your health, eh!

Bob