05/15/2026
✨🤲🏾 Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander’s heritage Month/Futures Month! We uplift and share gratitude for the wisdom, resilience, and legacies across the diaspora.
🌿From ancestor Dr. Miriam Lee who paved the way for Acupuncture being legalized on Turtle Island to modern day culture bearers / keepers like Grace Yoon, Erin Masako Wilkins, and Marie Kyoko Morohoshi. Had it not been for the relentless efforts of Dr. Miriam Lee, the west would not know the power of acupuncture. We work to embody this level of dedication and passion in order to bring whole-person healing to the people.
Beyond these names and stories, we uplift all the medicine keepers of these lineages this month and every month.
🌿🌱We also want to share our Herb of the Month, Bitter Melon! Ampalaya in Tagalog, Gōyā in central Ryukyuan/ central Okinawan, and Pare in Indonesia.
Bitter Melon is said to have originated in Afrika and spread throughout India then into the rest of Asia. There are multiple domesticated varieties whose appearance ranges from oblong, green, and lumpy to oblong, green, and spikey; like a cucumber’s edgy cousin. Most often you’ll find Bitter Melon in soups, mixed vegetable stir fries, stuffings, and curries. Bittergourd is also common in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. They have a cooling/heat clearing action in these practices.
The bitter taste is associated with an alkaloid called momordicine. Bitter Melon is high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins A, K, and C. Studies have shown evidence of antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. They are best known for their effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels. It is unclear if Bitter Melon increases the body’s insulin sensitivity or if its compounds act as insulin themselves. Some studies have suggested Bitter Melon may inhibit intestinal glucose absorption, and preserve pancreatic beta cells. Articles have stated they are best consumed before or with a meal to reduce blood sugar spiking afterwards.
Shoutout to our Lead Apothecary Steward for their research for our Herb of the Month initiative.
