Community Empowerment through Education on the Use of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) as Functional Vegetables Based on Natural Therapy

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat melalui Edukasi Pemanfaatan Pare (Momordica charantia) dan Mentimun (Cucumis sativus) sebagai Sayuran Fungsional Berbasis Terapi Alami

Abstract

Functional vegetables hold great potential as natural therapeutic agents due to their bioactive compounds. This community service program aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of healthy-home residents in Pasir Rambah Village regarding the use of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) as complementary therapies. The method applied was a participatory approach through counseling, interactive discussions, and simple demonstrations of cultivation and processing of both plants. The results indicated a significant improvement in participants’ understanding of the bioactive contents and pharmacological benefits of bitter melon and cucumber, with 85% recognizing the active compounds of bitter melon, 82% understanding the antihypertensive effects of cucumber, and 90% expressing interest in cultivating both plants at home. In addition, participants’ responses were highly positive, with 92% considering the program beneficial. In conclusion, education based on local plants is effective in increasing community awareness and self-reliance in maintaining health through safe, affordable, and easily accessible natural therapies.