Luo Han Guo – Momordica Fruit – Fructus Momordicae

Luo Han Guo

English Name: momordica fruit, arhat fruit, monkfruit

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Momordicae

Medica Category: Phlegm-Resolving Herbs

Properties: Luo Han Guo enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels; it is sweet in nature and cool in temperature.

What is Luo Han Guo?:

The Chinese Herb Luo Han Guo is crushed, dried Momordica fruit (more commonly known as monkfruit or arhat fruit), a small, round fruit in the gourd family (Momordica grosvenori Swingle) native to the mountainous regions of South China (Guangxi province). It is commonly made into a thirst-quenching tea by crushing it and boiling it in water for about a half an hour. This tea also has a long tradition of being consumed as a longevity tonic.

Monkfruit is processed commercially as a sugar substitute—it contains compounds called mogrosides, which are substantially sweeter than sugar but not processed by the body in the same way as glucose or fructose (which is why it has a zero on the glycemic index).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Luo Han Guo:

Luo Han Guo moistens the Lung and stops cough. It has a gentle action in this regard and is particularly suitable for weak persons with chronic respiratory disorders/dry cough (with or with out production of sputum). Tea made from Luo Han Guo is also indicated to sooth the throat and lungs to address acute or chronic tonsilitis, pharyngitis, pertussis, and bronchitis.

Luo Han Guo, taken as a daily tea, generates body fluids and quenches thirst.