The vegetable bitter melon, a traditional ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine, as well as in other cultures, has demonstrated a variety of therapeutic properties. In vitro studies have shown efficacy against Epstein-Barr, herpes, and HIV pathogens; broad spectrum antibacterial action has been observed.
Upper diabetes: Thirst and polydipsia, dry mouth and tongue, frequent and profuse urination, red tip and mar-gins of the tongue, yellow and thin tongue fur, full and rapid pulse.
Middle diabetes: Polyphagia, heartburn, restlessness and fever, profuse sweating, emaciation, or constipation, profuse cloudy and yellow urine, yellow and dry tongue fur, slippery and rapid pulse.
Lower diabetes: Profuse and frequent urination, tur-bid urine with sweet taste, thirst and polydipsia, dizziness, blurred vision, red cheeks and vexation, aching of loins and flaccidity of knees, or dry skin, general pruri-tus, red tongue, thin and rapid pulse.
Various other indications, ranging from hypertension to constipation have been listed for the plant.
Sufferers of Type 2 diabetes are unable to process blood sugar properly, usually owing to some combination of "insulin resistance," whereby their cells are not able to use insulin effectively, and simply not producing enough of the hormone to begin with.
Treatment: Body acupuncture
Prescription: Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3 ), Geshu (BL 17), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6).
Ear acupuncture
Prescription: Pancreas and gallbladder (C011), En-docrine (C018), Lung (C014), Stomach (C04), Kidney (C010), Bladder (C09), Thirst point (midpoint on the line joining External Nose and Ear Apex) and Hunger Point (External Nose).
