Balsam apple.Momordica balsamina is a tendril-bearing annual vine native to the tropical regions of Africa, introduced and invasive in Asia, Australia, Central America, and North America, where they have been found in some parts of Florida.^[1] It has pale yellow, deeply veined flowers and round, somewhat warty, bright orange fruits, or “apples”. When ripe, the fruits burst apart, revealing numerous seeds covered with a brilliant scarlet, extremely sticky coating. The balsam apple was introduced into Europe by 1568 and was used medicinally to treat wounds.^{[citation needed]} In 1810, Thomas Jefferson planted this vine in his flower borders at Monticello along with larkspur, poppies, and nutmeg.

 

Balsam apple or balsamina is scientifically known as Momordica balsamina is a tendril-bearing annual vine belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The plant is native to the tropical regions of South Africa, introduced and invasive in Asia, Arabia, India, Australia, and Central America. The balsam apple was introduced into Europe by 1568 and was used medicinally to treat wounds. In 1810, Thomas Jefferson planted this vine in his flower borders at Monticello along with larkspur, poppies, and nutmeg. Balsam apple, Bitter apple, Southern balsam pear, African cucumber, balsam pear, balsamina, common balsam apple, bitter melon, and condemnor are some of the well-known common names of the plant.

Balsam apple Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Momordica balsamina

The genus name Momordica could perhaps refer to the sculptured seeds or the uneven appearance of the fruits, which look as if they had been bitten; the Latin model means to bite. However, Jackson (1990) doubts this explanation. The specific epithet balsamina means ‘like balsam/balm’, from the Latin balsamum, and refers to one of the medicinal uses of this plant. Some people indicated that the outer rind and the seeds of the fruit are poisonous; however, the Tsonga people found in the northern region of southern Africa eat the leaves of the plant along with the fruit which bears its name. The leaves and green fruit are cooked and eaten as spinach, sometimes with groundnuts, or simply mixed with porridge. The young leaves contain vitamin C. The raw ripe fruits are also eaten.

Balsam Apple Facts

Plant Description

Balsam apple is a trailing or climbing, monoecious, annual, or short-lived perennial tendril-bearing herb that normally grows up to 5 meters long. The plant is found growing in coastal bushland on the sand, in woodland, wooded grassland, and riverine fringes, on river banks, in dry river beds, disturbed areas, hammocks, roadsides, fencerows, grassland, savannah, and forest margins. The plant is found growing in white, yellow, red, and grey sandy soils, also in loam, clay, alluvial, gravelly and calcareous soils. It requires soil rich in organic matter if optimum yields are to be achieved. The plant has soft stems and tendrils that climb up shrubs, boundary fields, and fences. Stems are prostrate or scandent, to 2·7 m, finely, rather sparsely crispate-pubescent, especially at nodes. It is velvet-hairy to becoming hairless.

Leaves

Leaf-blade are broadly ovate, reniform or orbicular in outline, cordate, usually somewhat pubescent, 10–90 mm. long and 12–120 mm. broad, palmately 3–5-lobed to about the middle or below, with the lobes broadly ovate- or elliptic-rhombic in outline, narrowed below, sharply sinuate-dentate or dentate-lobulate and the apices and marginal teeth apiculate. Petiole is pubescent and 4–60 mm. long. Leaves are waxy, the lower surface is paler than the upper surface.

Flower

Flowers are solitary, male and female flowers on the same plant (monoecious). Male flowers are prominently bracteate (subtended by a leaflet), bract ± ovate, to 18 mm long, pallid, green-veined, calyx green to purplish-black, corolla white to yellow, apricot or orange, green-veined, with grey, brownish or black spots near the bases of the three inner petals, 10-20 mm long, anthers orange. Female flowers are inconspicuously bracteate, corolla rather smaller than males. Flowering normally takes place in between August and November in Pakistan, May to September in the USA, and June to July in Australia.

Fruit

Fertile flowers are followed by spindle-shaped, dark green with 9 or 10 regular or irregular rows of cream or yellowish short blunt spines, ripening to bright orange or red, 25-60 mm long; opening automatically more or less irregularly into three valves that curl back (also opens when the tip is touched). Seeds are ovate in outline, rather compressed, up to 11 mm long, light brown, surface sculptured. The fruit is eaten by birds, ants, probably by some mammals (though not recorded) and also by humans.

Health benefits of Balsam apple

Additionally, there are numerous surprising health benefits of balsam apple fruit which are listed below:

1. Prevents heart disease

Balsam apple fruit has no cholesterol and less fat than perhaps helps to protect the heart. Heart diseases commonly occur when the body has an excessive amount of fat including cholesterol and consequently, the fruit may prevent them.

2. Supports for healthy skin

As previously mentioned Balsam apple fruit is equipped with vitamin C and it supports healthy skin. It gives you smooth and soft skin as well as protects it from pimples or acne. Since then, the fruit is appropriate for women who are likely to have healthy skin.

3. Boosts immune system

Vitamin C is one of the antioxidants that are common with its ability to boost the immune system, where you can find it in balsam apple fruit. The immune system is a significant thing and therefore the fruit is recommended for those who are having many activities. For the best result, it is better to combine the consumption of fruit with other healthy foods.

4. Improves vision

Vision will improve by consuming balsam apple fruit because the fruit consists of vitamin A about 54 IU, or you can read in vitamin benefits. Additionally, it is also supported by other antioxidants that can prevent some conditions such as cataracts and even night blindness.

5. Protects digestive system

Fiber is a substance that is known to protect the digestive system in the body. Balsam apple fruit has 2.40-gram dietary fiber which would be enough to take care of your digestive system from some conditions. When the digestive system is healthy then it promotes overall health, since many essential nutrients are absorbed well in the body.

6. Strengthens bones

Balsam apple fruit helps to strengthen bones due to vitamin K, as well as other antioxidants. Bones will get stronger not only by sufficient amounts of calcium but also vitamin K, where most of the people don’t concern about it. Additionally, that vitamin also protects bones from such conditions as osteoporosis.

7. Helps to lose weight

The combining of less fat and lots of dietary fiber makes balsam apple fruit can help you to lose weight. Actually many fruits are recommended by the doctor as diet treatment, including balsam apple fruit. The reason is that some fruits have more vitamins and less of cholesterol and fat which would be beneficial for the health of the body.

8. Promotes hair growth

Vitamin C found adequately in balsam apple fruit helps in promoting hair growth. The fruit probably prevents the hair from hair loss that it may lead to healthy hair. As the hair is strong, your hair may thicken and also can increase confidence.

Traditional uses and benefits of Balsam Apple

• It is commonly used as an anthelminthic, and in the treatment of fever, uterine bleeding, syphilis, rheumatism, hepatitis, skin disorders, and stomach and intestinal complaints.
• It is used in the treatment and prevention of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
• The fruit pulp has been used as an antiviral agent for poultry and even to treat human AIDS in Nigeria.
• Leaf and fruit extracts also show anti-plasmodial activity and are used against malaria in African traditional medicine.
• A concoction made by infusing the fruit (minus the seed) in olive or almond oil, is used as an ointment for chapped hands, burns and hemorrhoids.
• The whole plant is used to treat diabetes and dysentery in Mexico.
• The plant is also modified to treat skin issues like Eczema, Vaginitis, hemorrhoids, itchy rashes, Leprosy and much more.
• Leaves are also used to treat Malaria, stomach pain, cold, cough, fever, and measles.
• People suffering from vaginal discharge, Colic, Menstrual problems also seek the help of the Balsam Apple.
• This fruit can also be used to induce abortions.
• Aqueous leaf extract has also been used in reducing and relieving period pain in young girls.
• The whole plant is used as a sponge in treating skin diseases such as scabies and as a tranquilizer in the treatment of mental illness.
• The pulverized plant is applied externally against malignant ulcers.
• Leaves are used for liver deficiencies, blood cleanser/detoxifier, ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, hepatitis A and B, inflammations, marsh fever, urinary tract infections, and bile disorders.
• It is taken by mothers of newborn babies to boost the production of mother’s milk.
• It was used in the Okavango delta and else-where for abortion, boils, burns, chapped hands and feet, external sores, frostbite, hemorrhoids, headache, and as a purgative.
• In the U.S.A. compounded with olive or almond oil it has been used for chapped hands and for piles.
• Seed soaked in water and then inserted in the neck of the womb is a method of producing abortion practiced by the Mbula tribe of N Nigeria.
• The fruits are used in Syria for healing wounds.

Culinary Uses

• Leaves and young fruits are eaten cooked as a leafy vegetable in Cameroon, Sudan, and southern Africa.
• They are often mixed with groundnut meal or added to porridge.
• The bright red fruit pulp is eaten in Namibia.
• The leaves and immature fruits are used in sauces and soups.
• It is cooked and used as a vegetable.

Other Facts

• Leaves and stems have been used to feed camels, goats and sheep but horses avoid it.
• Leaf sap is apparently a useful metal cleaner and has been used as soap to wash hands and body.
• In the past, the whole plant has been used as an ingredient in arrow poison with Strophanthus.
• The leaves and stems serve as camel fodder.
• The fruits are used as a soap substitute.

References

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