Lo Han Guo in mandarin, also known as monk fruit. Luo Han Guo, literally translated, means “arhat fruit” in English.
Contents
Uses
In southern China, luo han guo is popularly considered a longevity aid and is used to balance heat buildup caused by internal conditions, life-forces, or external heat. It is used as an expectorant and antitussive to treat lung congestion, cough, other respiratory ailments, and sore throat. It also is used for constipation and chronic enteritis. Luo han guo is a low-caloric, low-glycemic food used as a sweetener in beverages and cooked food.
Benefits
Organic luo han guo supports the immune system, digestive tract, glands and respiratory system – which is why it is used in China for medicinal purposes. From allergy to cancer, this fruit holds the promise that it can help eliminate and defend against many health-related problems…
Defeating diabetes has never been easier
It has been found that luo han guo extract has a powerful effect on diabetes. The extract has been shown in animal studies to decrease blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides and improve liver function. In addition, it increased the HDL (“good” cholesterol) while protecting the antioxidants in the animals livers.
In the British Journal of Nutrition, it was reported that not only was there a reduction in sugar levels, but also there was evidence of lower lipid peroxidation or cell damage and urinary albumin levels in the rats receiving luo han guo – which indicates it is also protective of the kidneys from diabetic damage.
Conquer allergies, cancer, heart disease (and more) – naturally
Luo han guo has been shown to have an antihistamine effect in mice given the extract. The extract seems to counter an allergic response by calming the mast cells that release the chemicals such as histamine – which is associated with both allergies and asthma.
Japanese laboratory studies found that mogrosides from luo han guo showed extraordinary effects against skin cancer in mice. This is note worthy since research supports the idea that sugar consumption elevates the risk of cancer. Perhaps it’s the type of sweetener, since the sweet Monk fruit seems to be able to elicit the opposite response.
Lo han guo seems to show promise at preventing cholesterol from oxidizing, and since this plays a role in the formation of plaque buildup in the arteries – it may translate to a decreased risk of heart disease and strokes.
Caution
The acute toxicity test of monk fruit tea showed that it has lower toxicity. And as of this writing, no known side effects and drug interactions have been reported. TCM wise, it shouldn’t be used in the case of deficiency-cold in spleen and stomach due to its cool nature.
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
Lo han kuo , luo han guo , lor hon kor , ge si wei ruo guo , ra kan ka , monk fruit , arhat fruit , momordica fruit , Momordicae grosvenori fructus , longevity fruit , magic fruit
Reference
Source: NaturalHealth365, http://www.naturalhealth365.com/monk-fruit.html/
ChineseHerbsHealing, http://www.chineseherbshealing.com/monk-fruit-lo-han-guo/
Drugs.com, http://www.drugs.com/npp/luo-han-guo.html