Longan Extracts

Longan is formally named gui yuan is a special local product exclusive in China and tropical regions of South Asia. The fuit which is rich in nutrient has been in favored by people and is even regarded as precious tonic. Longan originates from China and has been cultivated over the past 2000 years. It is one most renowned 4 major fruits historically in China. As it matures in August (gui yue) in addition to its round shape, thus it is also called gui yuan.

Nutritional contents

Medicinal effects

Longan is treasure of fruits with plenty of beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fructose etc. It can be eaten fresh and also used for baked canning or processed longan jelly. It is a precious tonic medically. According to the Li Shi Zhen: "Longan has great nourishing effects", "the best nourishing ingredient is longan". Its flesh increases appetite and nourishes spleen with calming effect. Its processed product is an ideal tonic for rehabilitation of body weakness after sick, anemia, jaundice, neurasthenia and extensive blood loss after delivery. Folk remedy uses decoction of dried logan with codonopsis pilosula (dang sheng) for insufficiency of energy and blood, recuperation after delivery to replenish energy and blood and also for consumption by elderly and those who are sick to resist against chilly cold during winter. Besides, local and foreign scientists have discovered that longan flesh has significant anti-aging and anti-cancer effects.

Studies indicate that there is a monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) in human body which is closely associated with aging, elevation in its activity can accelerate aging. Osaka Research Institution of Chinese Traditional Medicine in Japan has carried out anti-cancer experiment over 800 kinds of natural foods and drugs and discovered that solution of longan flesh has more than 90% of inhibition rate on cercix cancer cells, which is 25% higher than anti-cancer chemotherapeutic drug ie. Bleomycine in control group and nearly equivalent to anti-tumor drug, vincristine. In the 2nd anti-aging Scientific Symposium in China, some academicians proposed that longan may become anti-aging food with potential inhibiting activity of MAO-B and confirmed statement in "Shen Nong’s Materia Medica" that longan has effect of rejuvenation.