Bitter Melon - The Number One Melon for Diabetes
By Vicky Chan of NourishU
Li Shizhen (1518 -1593), one of the greatest Chinese doctors, scientists, herbalists and acupuncturists in history ranked bitter melon as the number one melon on earth in his renowned medical textbook, the Compendium of Medical Herbs (1596).
He described bitter melon as cool in nature, bitter in taste and with proven healing properties of expelling evil heat, sharpening vision, improving liver function, promoting heart health and expelling toxic effects in the body.
In recent years, western medical science has confirmed the effectiveness of bitter melon in controlling viral diseases, regulating metabolism and transporting glucose from the blood into the cells, therefore reducing the body’s blood sugar levels. That is why bitter melon is most beneficial to people with diabetes.
Bitter melon is also known to cure a large number of ailments including stomach complaints, skin problems, type 1 herpes simplex virus, measles and chickenpox.
With the many health benefits of bitter melon, it has long been in use by many cultures around the world as home remedies. It is important for people today to know about it and eat more for good health. However, because of its distinctive bitter taste, not too many people really like to eat them. To make them less bitter, it is important to clean out the seeds and white membrane in the middle completely. Cutting them thinly or blanching them in hot water for a couple of minutes before cooking can definitely help. The best approach is to combine bitter melon with meat or seafood to make them delicious. We have many recipes in our website using them for treating various ailments.
Here is a quick and easy recipe to make a delicious dish. It is most palatable and even welcome by children. It is best for preventing and treating diabetes.
Bitter Melon Omelette with Goji-berries and Enoki Mushroom
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Detoxifies, clears internal heat and regulates blood sugar.
INGREDIENTS
- Bitter Melon 涼瓜 – one
- Enoki Mushrooms 金針菇 – one package
- Goji Berries – one to two table spoons
- Chopped Scallions and Coriander– one spoonful each
- Eggs – two to three
- Sugar, Salt, Cooking Wine and Sesame Oil
DIRECTIONS
1. Wash bitter melon, cut in half lengthwise, and remove seeds and white membrane with a spoon. Cut each half lengthwise once again. Then slice melon thinly, season with one spoonful of salt for about 10 minutes and rinse.
2. Cut out stems of enoki mushrooms. Cut the rest into short sections and soak with plenty of water for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse and strain.
3. Soak goji berries for 15 minutes, changing the water a couple of times and strain.
4. Beat eggs in a bowl with one spoonful of cooking wine and one spoonful of sesame oil.
5. Warm two spoonfuls of oil in a non-stick pan. Add bitter melon to stir fry for a couple of minutes. Then add one spoonful of salt and sugar and about half a cup of water and let it cook for 10 to 15 minutes until melon is tender and there is a little water left.
6. Add enoki mushrooms, goji berries, scallions and coriander and stir to combine. Let cook for a few minutes.
7. Add half of the egg mixture to the cooking and let it brown slightly on one side. Then flip over, add the remaining egg mixture and brown the other side. Add more oil to the cooking if necessary. When it is evenly brown, it is ready to serve.
USAGE
No Restrictions. This recipe is best served with rice.
