That said, keep in mind that most studies on the promising health benefits of the bitter melon plant have used concentrated extracts, and most of the research was conducted in animals and test tubes. In one older study from 1999 in 100 people with diabetes, drinking bitter melon vegetable pulp, including the fruit juice and leaves, significantly reduced both fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels in 86% of the participants ( 4 Trusted Source, 16 Trusted Source ). Although the fruit extract and pulp of bitter melon have been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, research on the effect of the plant’s leaves and stems, as well as on cerasee tea, is limited ( 12 Trusted Source, 13 Trusted Source, 14, 15 Trusted Source ). Many people in the Caribbean use cerasee tea to treat diabetes. However, research in humans is lacking ( 11 Trusted Source ).
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One 2008 test-tube study found that leaf extract of the bitter melon plant had powerful antioxidant activity, which may help protect against cellular damage ( 9 Trusted Source ).Īnother study also confirmed the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of the leaf extract, demonstrating its ability to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus bacteria, both of which can cause illness in humans ( 10 Trusted Source ).įurthermore, it’s speculated that extracts from bitter melon leaves may have anticancer properties.įor example, rodent and test-tube studies have demonstrated that bitter melon leaf extract may be effective against certain types of cancer, including prostate, lung, stomach, cervical, and skin cancer. In fact, scientists have identified more than 200 compounds from the fruit, seeds, leaves, roots, and vines of the plant, many of which may benefit your health ( 7 Trusted Source ).įor example, the stems, leaves, and fruits contain plant compounds called saponins, mostly in the form of triterpenoid saponins, which are thought to provide antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits ( 8 Trusted Source ). In the Caribbean, it’s used to treat multiple health conditions, including diabetes.Įvery part of the bitter melon plant contains medicinal compounds. SUMMARYĬerasee tea is a bush tea made from the leaves and stems of the Momordica charantia, or bitter melon plant. charantia plant, including fruit extracts, may benefit certain populations, no studies have specifically investigated the effects of cerasee tea ( 6 Trusted Source ). While studies have found that supplementing with parts of the M. That said, the science behind removing so-called toxins from your body via special diets or drinks isn’t supported by science. The tea is also purported to have detoxifying and purifying properties, which is why some people use it in an effort to rid their bodies of toxins. In the Caribbean, the tea is used to treat a number of ailments, ranging from high blood pressure to constipation ( 5 Trusted Source ). In fact, a 2020 survey in 345 people from Jamaica found that cerasee was among the most reported herbal medicines used to treat high blood pressure and diabetes ( 4 Trusted Source ). For example, cerasee tea is a popular herbal treatment in the Caribbean, especially in Jamaica ( 3 Trusted Source ). The fruit, leaves, and seeds of the bitter melon plant have been shown to have medicinal properties and are used as traditional medicine in many parts of the world. They’re a popular ingredient in Asian dishes ( 2 Trusted Source ). You can also purchase premade cerasee tea bags ( 1 Trusted Source ).īesides the stem and leaves, the bitter melon plant bears wart-covered, bitter-tasting fruits that can be enjoyed cooked or raw.
It’s typically made by boiling fresh leaves and stems of a wild variety of Momordica charantia, or bitter melon plant, which is known as cerasee in Jamaica. Cerassee tea is a type of bush tea - a tea made from local plants.