Longji Longevity Fruit

Longji Longevity Fruit

　　Momordica grosvenori, a perennial vine plant of the Cucurbitaceae family. Also known as Lahanguo, fake bitter melon, smooth-fruited momordica, priceless treasure, Luohandai, or naked turtle melon, it is hailed as the "fruit of the immortals." Its leaves are heart-shaped, and the plant is dioecious, blooming in summer and fruiting in autumn.

　　It is primarily produced in towns such as Longjiang Township, Longsheng, and Baishou in Yongfu County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Yongfu County and Longsheng County are known as the hometowns of Momordica grosvenori cultivation, boasting a long history. Among them, Yongfu has cultivated the fruit for over 300 years, while Longsheng County has done so for more than 200 years. Ninety percent of China’s Momordica grosvenori is produced in Yongfu and Longsheng counties.

　　Momordica grosvenori is a premium local specialty of Guilin and one of the first approved dual-use materials for both medicine and food in China. Its primary benefit is in relieving coughs and reducing phlegm. The fruit is highly nutritious, containing abundant vitamin C (400–500 mg per 100 grams of fresh fruit), as well as glycosides, fructose, glucose, protein, lipids, and more.

　　Momordica grosvenori has a sweet taste and cool nature, associated with the lung and large intestine meridians. It is often combined with Lingzhi mushrooms (Qiongzhen Ganoderma) to moisten the lungs, relieve coughs, promote fluid production, and quench thirst. It is suitable for treating coughs caused by lung heat or dryness, whooping cough, and summer heat-induced thirst. Additionally, it helps lubricate the intestines and relieve constipation.