I cut and pasted from the natural database site, just the basics. This is a medical databae and they are talking about the extracted medical dose not the unprocessed fruit. Probably more than you wanted to know. Human useage: Orally, bitter melon is used to treat diabetes, psoriasis, gastrointestinal upset, ulcers, colitis, constipation, intestinal worms, urinary tract stones (kidney stones), fever, and hepatic disease. It is also used orally to induce menstruation and as supportive therapy for patients with AIDS/HIV. Topically, bitter melon is used for skin abscesses and wounds, and anorectal herpes lesions. Safety ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Extracts of bitter melon fruit appear to be safe for up to 3 months There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of bitter melon when used topically. PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE ...when used orally. Proteins from bitter melon fruit and juice can stimulate menstruation and have caused abortion in animals LACTATION: Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using Adverse reactions: Orally, bitter melon is well-tolerated at a dose of 1 gram three times daily (extract dose) for several weeks. In some patients it can cause diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, and epigastric pain. Ingestion of the seeds has been associated with headaches. Two cases of hypoglycemic coma and seizures have occurred in children after drinking bitter melon tea. Elevated liver function tests have been reported in animal studies, but the clinical significance is unknown. Interaction with dieseas: DIABETES: Bitter melon can lower blood glucose levels and might have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs. This might increase the risk of hypoglycemia in some patients. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE (G6PD) DEFICIENCY: People with G6PD deficiency are at risk for developing favism after ingesting bitter melon seeds. Vicine found in the seeds is related to constituents of fava beans. Favism is characterized by hemolytic anemia, headache, fever, stomach pain, and coma. Advise these patients to avoid bitter melon. SURGERY: Bitter melon might affect blood glucose levels. Theoretically, bitter melon might interfere with blood glucose control during and after surgical procedures. Tell patients to discontinue bitter melon at least 2 weeks before elective surgical procedures.

To save seeds from bitter melon, they must be allowed to ripen on the vine. Seed from bitter melons picked green will not be viable, even if the melon appears to ripen later. When ripe, they turn orange or yellow & split open. The seeds will be clearly visible, surrounded by a sticky, bright red pulp. If some fall on the ground, no problem... the pulp & any dirt attached to it will be removed during cleaning. If the red pulp is fairly dry, you can just place the seeds on newspaper to dry, preferably under a fan (ceiling fans work well for this). When the pulp has dried, it can be peeled off easily, leaving clean seed. If the pulp is very wet (like those I grew this year) or if there are a lot of seeds, you can clean them in a colander under running water. Rub the seeds between your fingers to remove the pulp. When cleaning seeds in water, be sure to dry them promptly. Regardless of the method used to clean the seeds, they must be fully dry before storage. For me, this is easy; I leave them in trays on shelves until December or January, when the indoor humidity is low. All of my seeds will be dried to the proper moisture level at that time. For those in warmer, more humid climates, or if the home tends to have humid air, ambient drying may not be enough. The seeds can be further dried with a dehydrator, or by the use of desiccant gel in a sealed container. If using desiccant, a good rule of thumb is to weigh the seeds, and use an equal weight of desiccant. Once the seeds have been properly dried, they can be placed in any air-tight container for storage. Store them in a cool, dark location.

Hi - I get about 95% germination rate. I bought my seeds from amazon (see link) and then save my seeds every year for the next year. Once the bitter melon becomes orange/red and dies, the seeds are ready to be saved. Here is a link that might be useful: Buy Bitter Melon seeds

No, I don't think so. They have too much green and when ripe they should be a light yellow. The stem will slip on most muskmelons. Don't harvest until at least half of the stem has pulled away from the melon. I am speaking about the types I have grown, so hope that goes for this one too.