Can a mixture of bitter Melon and fermented maize water cure certain ailments in the female reproductive system – blocked fallopian tubes, infections, irregular menstrual periods and ovarian cysts?
That is the claim in a message posted by a Facebook user in Nigeria on the group page ‘Herbs remedies International’. The page is described as a “group of people that come together to help each other with remedies on all ailments”.
The remedy’s ingredients are given as “Bitter Melon (bara in Yoruba)” and “fermented water of pap (omi ogi)”.
“This remedy is very powerful which can make you visit rest room very well,” the user wrote.
But is there evidence that the mixture works?
Not a scientifically proven remedy
A few local studies have investigated the use of tropical plants in the treatment of reproductive conditions. But Africa Check found no evidence in scientific literature for this particular mixture’s use as a treatment.
Michael Aziken, a fertility expert and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Medicine in Nigeria’s University of Benin, rated the claim false.
“There is no scientific evidence to the claim,” he said.
“There are many other options to treat blocked fallopian tubes which do not involve surgery. I am saying this because there are women who may be scared of undergoing surgery. My advice is to visit a general practitioner who would then refer them to a gynaecologist.”
Cosmos Enyindah, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences at Nigeria’s University of Port Harcourt, said the effectiveness of the mixture would be unproven until there was replicable scientific evidence to back it.
“I am hearing this claim for the first time. Whoever came up with the mixture must subject it to some form of clinical trials. It must be tested on a group of women with the various health issues listed in the claim before it can be proven to work.”
He advised women with any of these reproductive conditions to visit a gynaecologist instead of drinking the mixture.
A collaboration between Daily Trust and Africa Check to fight health misinformation.
