Traditional Medicine 2.1 HAITI
Which medicinal plant in Haiti is traditionally used as an infusion to purify the blood and help regulate sugar levels in people with diabetes?
75% of players answered correctly.
THE CORRECT ANSWER: Asosi (Momordica charantia)
Asosi, known scientifically as Momordica charantia or margose, occupies a central place in Haiti's traditional pharmacopoeia. This climbing plant with bitter fruits is highly prized for its depurative and hypoglycemic properties. In Haiti, families frequently prepare the leaves as a bitter infusion to purify the blood, stimulate digestion and treat various metabolic disorders. Asosi-based remedies are often passed down from generation to generation as the first line of defense against skin infections and glycemic imbalances. Although its very bitter taste is feared, its medical reputation remains undisputed throughout all regions of the country. Modern research confirms the presence of active compounds capable of mimicking the action of insulin, thus scientifically validating an ancestral Haitian knowledge practiced for centuries to maintain good health on a daily basis.