Why the Humble Monk Fruit is in the Limelight?

The monk fruit is a perennial vine belonging to the gourd family. Siraitia Grosvenorii is the scientific name of the plant that bears this fruit. It is commonly also known as Momordica Grosvenorii and is can be found across South China and North Thailand. The fruit has recently come under the spotlight because of the wide range of uses it has. Monk fruit’s therapeutic properties and possible health benefits are also under the scanner as researchers try to confirm what traditional Chinese doctors had known for hundreds of years.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses naturally growing herbs, roots, and plants among other useful parts of the plant as natural remedies and in medicines. The extracts derived from such plants are often used in various parts of Asia not just for medicinal values but also for the common benefits it provides. Momordica Grosvenorii extract helps to relieve certain symptoms of common cold or throat infection. It also helps to relieve swelling and bleeding of the gums on direct application.

So why has the luo han guo, as the Chinese call it locally, getting so much attention from researchers and medical experts? Read on to know.

A Proven Multitasker
The monk fruit is able to accomplish a lot just on its own. Extract from the fruit contains many active chemical compounds that are valuable for the body and the metabolic system. From ancient times, the extract of this magical fruit has been used on a daily basis for multiple purposes in China and across other Asian countries. The Momordica Grosvenorii extract is used to make toothpaste that can relieve swelling of gums as well stop internal bleeding of the gums. The toothpaste made from Momordica Grosvenorii extract can also keep foul stench in your mouth at bay.

The extract can be concocted into a tea by infusing it in warm water. This tea can be drunk at least two times a day to get the medical benefits of the fruit extract. Ginger has many medical benefits and when combined with the extract of Momordica Grosvenorii, its beneficial characteristics are greatly increased. Ginger and Momordica Grosvenorii extract tea can provide temporary relief from coughs and itchy throat. Drinking as tea ensures that the vital compounds of the fruit extract and ginger or other ingredients can be accepted easily by the body. The extract is said to be 300 times sweeter than sugar and hence is used to sweeten tea naturally and without sugar.

Therapeutic Health Benefits
Practitioners of Chinese folk medicine has been using the Momordica Grosvenorii extract for years to provide relief from common ailments that affects people on a regular basis. The relief is temporary and the extract is not known to cure any disease. However, it comes without the added side effects of most commercial medicines as it is a natural product and does not harm our body. Sore throats are a nuisance that can be taken care of by drinking tea made from Momordica Grosvenorii extract. The tea works as an anti-inflammatory and helps to relieve itchiness or swelling of the inner linings of our larynx and pharynx.

Dry coughs are another very common ailment that plagues a lot of people. A dry cough is especially irritating as the lack of mucus keeps the throat dry and makes constant coughing painful. Viral infections are the most common cause of dry cough apart from smoking. Change of seasons is a time ripe for viral infections to spread. The Momordica Grosvenorii extract also keeps our immune system alert and ready to better deal with infections.

As a natural substitute for sugar, the monk fruit extract can be useful in treating obesity. Obesity is a result of improper eating habit and an unhealthy lifestyle. The Momordica Grosvenorii extract helps to regulate the body’s metabolic activities and hence force us to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Rich in Anti-oxidants
The extract of the monk fruit is believed to be rich in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are extremely useful to the body as these compounds help the body to get rid of toxins and also help in the process of oxidation that keeps the body fresh and healthy. Honokiol is an active compound of the Momordica Grosvenorii that when mixed with the active compounds of ginger provides immense health benefits.

The extract also shows anti-inflammatory properties that help in relieving swelling, internal bleeding, abrasions, and internal injuries.

Summary
There are many supposed health benefits of the Momordica Grosvenorii extract that traditional Chinese medicine has been using for centuries. It is a natural product and more advanced research on humans needs to be done before drawing conclusions.