Genus Momordica is a group of plants that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. This genus includes several species with unique shapes and colors of fruit. The most common synonyms for the genus Momordica are bitter melon, balsam pear, and African cucumber. Bitter melon is a reference to the fruit's bitter taste, while balsam pear is a nod to its pear-like shape. African cucumber is another synonym because of the fruit's cucumber-like appearance and origin from African regions. Some lesser-known synonyms for the genus Momordica include cerasee, foo gwa, and ampalaya. Regardless of their names, species in the genus Momordica have been used for medicinal purposes across many cultures.