Cuminum cyminum. cumin seed, cumin - aromatic seeds of the cumin herb of the carrot family. herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests. Cuminum, genus Cuminum - cumin.
In this article. Bitter melon is a plant that grows in parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. It grows a fruit that looks like a cucumber. People use bitter melon as both a food and a traditional medicine. At least in the short-term, bitter melon seems to be safe. 2  It can cause upset stomach, cramping, and diarrhea. 3  Risks. 4  Bitter melon may affect blood sugar levels. 5  Check with a doctor before using it if you have diabetes. 6  It could cause very low blood sugar when mixed with some diabetes medicines.
Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses. Bitter melon has been used as a folk remedy for cancer, asthma, skin infections, stomach problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes symptoms. The plant has been used as a traditional medicine in China, India, Africa, and the southeastern US. In the 1980s, the seeds were investigated in China as a potential contraceptive. General uses