Baishou Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii)

Baishou Luo Han Guo

　　Baishou Luo Han Guo, a specialty of Baise in Guangxi, is a perennial deciduous vine plant rich in protein, fructose, D-mannose (found in fresh fruit), and various vitamins. It has high medicinal value. Although the Luo Han Guo from Guilin, Guangxi is the most famous, the variety from Baise also enjoys a strong local reputation.

　　Guangxi - Baise Specialty - Baishou Luo Han Guo 1

　　 Medicinal Value

　　 Relieves thirst and moistens the throat: With a sweet taste and cool nature, Luo Han Guo enters the lung and large intestine meridians. It helps moisten the lungs and relieve coughs, making it suitable for coughs caused by lung heat or dryness, whooping cough, and summer heat-induced thirst.

　　 Promotes bowel movement: When used in tea, Luo Han Guo tastes sweet and has a cooling, fire-purging effect. Regular consumption offers over 12 health benefits including clearing heat and toxins, moistening the lungs, benefiting the liver, promoting body fluids, relieving thirst, suppressing coughs, removing phlegm, lubricating the intestines, facilitating bowel movements, suppressing asthma, and lowering blood pressure.

　　 Prolongs life: Steeped in boiling water, it makes an excellent cooling beverage that refreshes and promotes body fluids while helping prevent respiratory infections. Long-term consumption can contribute to longevity.

　　 Suitable for diabetics: Rich in sweet-tasting compounds and multiple vitamins, Luo Han Guo is 300–400 times sweeter than sugar but extremely low in calories. Its sweetness mainly comes not from glucose, but from "terpene glycosides" and small amounts of fructose. Since the intestines do not absorb terpene glycosides — they are excreted entirely — they do not turn into calories. This makes it highly suitable for diabetics.

　　 Eliminates bad breath: Luo Han Guo juice can be used in cooking, offering a fragrant and pleasant taste. Known as the “Fruit of the Immortals,” Luo Han Guo is believed to clear heat and toxins, resolve phlegm and suppress coughs, nourish the voice and lungs, and eliminate bad breath.

　　 Ways to Eat Luo Han Guo

　　 Candy Drink: 250g Luo Han Guo, appropriate amount of white sugar. Preparation: Crush the Luo Han Guo, add an appropriate amount of water, and decoct it three times, each time for half an hour. Steam off the moisture over low heat until it becomes thick, let it cool, mix in white sugar, stir well, dry it, crush it, and store in a bottle. Take about 10g each time and brew with boiling water.

　　 Luo Han Guo and Glutinous Rice Porridge: 250g Luo Han Guo, 50g glutinous rice, appropriate amount of salt and MSG. Preparation: Crush the Luo Han Guo, add an appropriate amount of water, and decoct it three times. Strain the residue with gauze and set aside. Wash the glutinous rice clean, cook it in the Luo Han Guo decoction, and when it boils, reduce to low heat and continue cooking until the rice is soft. Add salt and MSG before serving.

　　 Weight Loss & Fitness Drink: 10g Luo Han Guo, appropriate amount of honey, 10g hawthorn slices, 250ml purified water. Preparation: 1. Wash and crush the Luo Han Guo; wash the hawthorn and put it in the pot together with the Luo Han Guo. 2. Add purified water to the pot, boil it, remove the residue, and pour the liquid into a cup. 3. Add an appropriate amount of honey to the cup, stir well, and enjoy it as a summer drink.

　　 Luo Han Guo Eight-Treasure Soup: Appropriate amount of lean meat, half a Luo Han Guo, 15g longan flesh, 50g dragon leaf, 6 red dates, 20g American ginseng, 20g almonds, 15g northern sand ginseng. Method: Wash the lean meat and put it in whole; add all the herbs and an appropriate amount of water, simmer for 2.5 hours until the soup is rich, then serve the soup with the meat. (Source: Baidu Experience)