The Emergence of Bitter Melon in the Western World

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The Emergence of Bitter Melon in the Western World

 

Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - June 1992

Lori Levine

 

 

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For centuries, bitter melon has been used in the Philippines as a

therapeutic remedy in a variety of illnesses such as leukemia,

diabetes(before the invention of insulin) asthma, insect bites,

menstrual cycle problems, stomach problems, as well as many other

maladies. Today, in the United States, this vegetable, and its leaves

and vines, are being used as an alternative therapy in the form of an

antiviral to combat some of the symptoms of HIV and to allegedly stop

the replication of the virus.

First introduced to the HIV community by Stanley Rebultan at a Town

Hall Meeting in West Hollywood in the spring of 1991, bitter melon's

reputation and usage in Los Angeles has grown considerably. Since

then, many HIV+ individuals have reported success with their lab

tests and heightened general well being as a result of using this

alternative home remedy.

 

On May 20, Rebultan held a meeting at the Being Alive office in

Silver Lake to describe his success with bitter melon. He encouraged

his HIV+ peers to try this remedy that is well known in the Filipino

community for success in treating leukemia, a disease that has some

similarities to HIV. Over two hundred men and women showed up to

listen to information about the latest anti-HIV remedy, many with

their own tales of success from using bitter melon for only one week.

Most of the attendees were curious and at their wit's end with the

toxicities and limited efficacy of currently available antivirals.

 

There are two ways to benefit from bitter melon. Although the liquid

attained from juicing the melon and/or cooking the leaves can be

drunk as a juice or a tea, most people agreed that a retention enema

provided better results. Many doctors object to this notion with the

argument that the lower intestines do not absorb much nutrition or

liquid. My friends in the gay community strongly disagree. Some

remember the " partying " days of douching with red wine or beer and

champagne and definitely feel their lower intestines absorbed enough

of the alcohol to produce a long lasting and intense high. One has to

assume with this being the case, bitter melon should have some

therapeutic effect by being absorbed through the lower intestines, by

way of a retention enema.

 

Rebultan has been using bitter melon for three and a half years and

has watched his lab tests improve and stabilize. Everyone at the

meeting that Wednesday who had been using bitter melon agreed that

they had a tremendous increase in energy, their stamina had improved

greatly, and sleeping patterns had improved or stabilized. One man

claimed to have had a decrease in his anxiety level, while another

told of his doctor being impressed that his skin condition began

clearing up and his eyes had become clearer.

 

Although it appears that there are many therapeutic benefits

associated with bitter melon for HIV+ people, there is no official

data available and there are no trials currently being held to

research and analyze this home remedy. In an attempt to increase

awareness of the therapeutic benefits of bitter melon, Rebultan has

been in negotiations with Search Alliance to form a trial to collect

and analyze data from a varied group of individuals using bitter

melon. This may take some time, however, since it must pass through

their medical review board first. Meanwhile, Rebultan is in contact

with hundreds of people in Los Angeles currently using the therapy.

Another meeting is being scheduled for the third week in June at

which Dr. Quincai Zhang will speak of his experience with bitter

melon and HIV+ patients. Dr. Zhang is a doctor of Chinese medicine

practicing in New York, and an expert in alternative medicine.

Stanley is available for questions and can be reached at

213.874.0027.

 

According to Stephan Korsia, the treatment specialist at APLA, there

are eighty four articles written in relation to bitter melon and HIV.

He can be contacted for further information at 213.962.1600, ext 270.

 

The Medical Update in March, aired on cable in May and is available

for viewing at Being Alive included a discussion of bitter melon.

Bitter melon can be found at almost any Filipino market and is

relatively inexpensive. For information on how to process the

vegetable, call Rebultan for his information sheet or come by the

Being Alive office.

920601

BA920608

 

 

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AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Roxane

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users like you. Always watch for outdated information. Always watch

for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1992. This

material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that

exists between you and your doctor.

1992 - Beings Alive. Permission granted for noncommercial

reproduction, provided that our address and phone number are included

if more than short quotations are used. Subscription lists are kept

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CA 90069, Tel - 310.289.2551; FAX - 310.289.9866; Email:

BeiAlive http://www.beingalivela.org/

 

 

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This information is designed to support, not replace, the

relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

©1992. AEGIS.