MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L. Cerasee.
One of the most widely used medicinal herbs of Jamaica, the fruits of a large variety also being used especially by the Chinese in cooking. The aerial parts of the plant, either dry or fresh and free of large fruits are used to make a decoction which is very bitter, or in some cases to make an infusion. The tea is used for colds and fever (including malaria), for stomach-ache, constipation in children, and as a general tonic beverage. An infusion of cerasee alone or with Bidens reptans is used for menstrual troubles. This is of interest in view of Howard's (1952) statement that M. charantia is widely used in the West Indies as an abortifacient. He says that in a similar manner it is used monthly by the women of the Grenadines as a method of birth control. It is
possible that similar use of the plant occurs in Jamaica. It was in use in old days to promote discharge after childbirth. The plant is said to be laxative, the seeds anthelmintic, and the fruit is used in the East to cure
wounds. The leaves contain fatty oil, a bitter principle momordocin and resin.
