Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Balsam pear (Momordica charantia), also known as bitter melon, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. In some traditional practices, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, balsam pear has been suggested for respiratory ailments, including asthma. However, its primary uses have been for diabetes, digestive issues, and infections rather than specifically for asthma.

There are a few ethnobotanical reports where balsam pear preparations are used to alleviate symptoms associated with asthma or respiratory inflammation, but these are based on folk medicine and anecdotal traditions rather than controlled clinical studies. The scientific literature does not provide substantial evidence supporting its efficacy for asthma. Only a handful of preliminary laboratory studies have examined its anti-inflammatory properties, which might theoretically help with asthma, but these studies have not been translated into robust human clinical trials for asthma treatment.

In summary, while there is a traditional precedent for the use of balsam pear in managing respiratory conditions, including asthma, the evidence is limited and not strongly substantiated by modern scientific research. Therefore, its use for asthma is justified primarily by tradition, with very low evidence to support efficacy for this specific condition.

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