Cerasee (Momordica charantia var. minima): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does cerasee work to lower blood sugar?

Cerasee contains active compounds such as charantin, polypeptide-p, and momordicin which are believed to possess insulin-mimetic properties. These constituents may help lower blood glucose by increasing glucose uptake in tissues and improving insulin sensitivity. While these mechanisms are supported by laboratory studies, human clinical evidence is currently rated Level C, meaning more rigorous trials are needed to fully confirm the exact pathway.

Can I drink cerasee tea while taking diabetes medication?

You should use cerasee with caution if you are taking diabetes medications like insulin or metformin. Because cerasee naturally lowers blood glucose, combining it with pharmaceutical antidiabetics may cause an additive effect, leading to dangerous hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It is essential to monitor blood sugar levels closely and consult a healthcare provider before adding this herb to your regimen.

Is cerasee safe to drink during pregnancy?

No, cerasee is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb has historically been used to induce menstruation and is believed to stimulate uterine contractions. Consumption during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Women who are pregnant or attempting to conceive should strictly avoid cerasee tea and supplements due to these potential risks.

How much cerasee tea should I drink daily?

For general wellness and blood cleansing, the traditional adult dosage is 1 to 2 cups of cerasee vine tea daily. To prepare, the leaves and vines are steeped in hot water. Due to the herb's intense bitterness and potential to cause stomach upset, it is advisable to start with a smaller amount to assess tolerance. Continuous long-term use without breaks is generally discouraged.

What are the side effects of drinking cerasee?

Common side effects include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea, largely due to the herb's bitterness and cucurbitacin content. Because of its blood-glucose-lowering effects, some individuals may experience hypoglycemia, resulting in dizziness, sweating, or weakness. If you experience severe gastrointestinal distress or signs of low blood sugar, discontinue use immediately and seek medical advice.

What is cerasee tea good for?

In Caribbean folk medicine, cerasee is primarily used as a 'blood cleanser' and remedy for diabetes. It is also traditionally employed to reduce fevers and expel intestinal parasites. While there is Level C evidence supporting its antidiabetic potential, many of these uses are based on traditional practice rather than high-quality clinical trials. It is often consumed as a general detoxifying tonic.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 26 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Cerasee (Momordica charantia var. minima/abbreviata) is a wild variety of bitter melon used in folk medicine for its hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:31151277, PMID:3899464].

Contexte

Cerasee is a wild edible variety of Momordica charantia, described as a climbing annual in the Cucurbitaceae family [PMID:31151277, PMID:30780759]. It is found in regions including the West Indies, Central America, the Bahamas, and Taiwan [PMID:3899464, PMID:39660368, PMID:26098998].

Usages traditionnels

It is traditionally prepared as a tea for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the West Indies and Central America [PMID:3899464], and is used in the Bahamas for treating diabetes, anemia, inflammation, dermatological issues, backaches, cold, flu, and gastrointestinal problems [PMID:39660368].

Composés actifs

Bioactive compounds identified in wild bitter melon include 1,8-cineole, β-caryopyllene, methyl eugenol, quercetin, flavone [PMID:41690644], phytol, lutein [PMID:22953813], alpha-eleostearic acid (α-ESA) [PMID:33062068], and cucurbitane triterpenoids such as charantadiol A (5β,19-epoxycucurbita-6,23(E),25(26)-triene-3β,19(R)-diol) [PMID:27058519, PMID:34577123].

Mécanisme d'action

Mechanisms include the inhibition of α-glucosidase, PTP1B, and lipase activities [PMID:36634725], and the inhibition of α-amylase [PMID:31151277]. Anti-inflammatory effects are mediated via the activation of PPAR-β, which inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway [PMID:33062068, PMID:26098998].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DType 2 Diabetes/Hyperglycemia

Aqueous extracts of cerasee fruit reduced hyperglycemia by 50% after 5 hours in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and improved glucose tolerance in normal mice [PMID:3899464].

Preuve DMuscle Atrophy

Wild Bitter Melon (400 mg/kg daily) was investigated for its therapeutic potential to ameliorate immobility-induced muscle atrophy in a murine model [PMID:39086863].

Preuve DSkin Inflammation (Acne)

Total phenolic extract of WBM leaf attenuated P. acnes-induced ear swelling and microabscesses in mice and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α) in vitro [PMID:26098998, PMID:26624580].

Preuve DPeriodontal Inflammation

Charantadiol A from WBM leaf significantly suppressed P. gingivalis-stimulated IL-6 and TNF-α in a periodontitis mouse model [PMID:34577123].

Preuve DCariogenic Bacteria

Ethanol extract of wild bitter melon demonstrated antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in vitro [PMID:41690644].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is limited to in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating potential hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 36634725 (2023) — Effects of dietary wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia var. abbreviate Ser.) extract on glucose and lipid metabolism in HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 31151277 (2019) — Investigation of Biological Activities of Wild Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia Linn. Var. Abbreviata Ser.). · Biomolecules
3.PMID: 39086863 (2024) — The therapeutic potential of Wild Bitter Melon to ameliorate muscle atrophy in a murine model. · Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
4.PMID: 41690644 (2026) — Anticariogenic potential, phytochemical and molecular docking analysis of Momordica charantia: An in vitro study. · Microbial pathogenesis
5.PMID: 26624580 (2015) — Investigation of the Blood Glucose Lowering Potential of the Jamaican Momordica charantia (Cerasee) Fruit in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Cerasee

Sources et citations

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