Use of Luo Han Guo (monk fruits) in TCM

Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.

Preparation: The fruit is harvested from when it is green to dark green and after being left to dry for several days, it is dried at low temperature.

Dosage: 9 - 15 grams

Main actions according to TCM*: Lubricates and cools the Lungs. Treats Lung Yin Deficiency. Dissipates nodules and swollen glands. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation.

Primary conditions or symptoms for which Luo Han Guo may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Pneumonitis Dry cough Swollen lymph nodes Constipation Sore throat

Key TCM concepts behind Luo Han Guo's properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Luo Han Guo belongs to the 'Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Yin tonics have a heavy, moist nature. They either nourish the Kidneys and Liver or moisten the Lungs and Stomach. Extreme Yin Deficiency often translates into a 'burn-out', unfortunately more and more common among people today. It is worth mentioning that another great remedy against Yin Deficiency is a lot of rest and sleep; no herb will ever be able to replace this!

Furthermore Luo Han Guo is Cool in nature. This means that Luo Han Guo tends to help people who have too much 'Heat' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Cold in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Luo Han Guo can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

Luo Han Guo also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Luo Han Guo tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Luo Han Guo is thought to target the Large intestine and the Lung. In TCM the Large Intestine receives the "impure" parts of the digested food from the Small Intestine, absorbs the remaining fluids and excrete the remainder as feces. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.

Research on Luo Han Guo

Luo Han Guo fruit/extract has the potential to be natural sweetener with a low glycemic index and can therefore be an alternative to sugar for diabetic populations.¹

The natural noncaloric sweetening triterpenoid glycosides (mogrosides) contained in the M. grosvenori fruits are antioxidative, anticarcinogenic, and helpful in preventing diabetic complications.²

Sources:

1. Ying. Z., Yan. Z., Jeff. E., Chi-Fu. H. (2009) Insulin secretion stimulating effects of mogroside V and fruit extract of Luo Han Kuo (Siraitia grosvenori Swingle) fruit extract., Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica., 44 (11): 1252-1257.

2. Di. R., Huang. M-T., Ho. C-T. (2011) Anti-inflammatory Activities of Mogrosides from Momordica grosvenori in Murine Macrophages and a Murine Ear Edema Model., J. Agric. Food Chem., 59 (13): 7474–7481.

Use of Luo Han Guo as food

Luo Han Guo is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Luo Han Guo sweet soup.