Dragon Fruit, Huo Long Guo, 火龙果 , Hylocereus undatus

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

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Health Benefits
For: Diabetes • Hyperglycemia • Insulin resistance • Breast cancer • Constipation • Anemia
Attributes: Anti-inflammatory • Laxative • Antioxidant • Hypoglycemic • Antibacterial
Products (online examples)

Fresh Fruit

Capsules

Soda

Dried Fruit

Concentrated Juice

Powder

Freeze Dried

Punch

Research (sample)

Articles:

Constituents: 
Betacyanins • Lycopene • VitaminB • Vitabmin C (34% RDI) • Iron (11% RDI) • Calcium • Phosphorus • Antioxidants.  Seeds: omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid • Fiber • Phytoalbumins • Palmitic acid • Linoleic acid • Oleic acid

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Strawberry pear • Pitaya • Buah naga • Nanettika fruit • Kaktus madu
Plant Family: Cactaceae (catus)
Eating too much red-colored dragon fruit can turn urine reddish (like beets).  You can grow dragon fruit cactus from the seeds in the fruit.

The skin of the dragon fruit is not edible.  The easiest approach is to cut the fruit in half and eat the inner with a spoon as one would a kiwi.

Species
Three species of Hylocereus (guatemalensis, polyrhizus, and undatus) and one species of Selenicereus (megalanthus). There are also numerous hybrids.  Selenicereus megalanthus is more popular in South America and Colombia. [more]
Growth
Hylocereus undatus is in the USDA Plant Database.  Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:

USA: Hylocereus undatus is available in Florida.    USDA Zones: 9-11

Native: China, Central America, Mexico, South America, Australia, Middle East

Habitats: Thickets, rockwalls, tropical areas

Category: Tonify Yin 
English: Dragon Fruit    Pinyin:  Huo Long Guo      Pharmaceutical:   
Organs: Lung    Temperature: Cold   
Taste: Sweet      Toxicity: None noted  
Patterns: High blood sugar 
Actions:  Tonify yin
Indications: High blood sugar • Constipation • Anemia
Contraindications: Low blood sugar • Diarrhea
Typical Dosage: N/A 
Parts Used: Fruit 
Other:

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
  • Dragon fruit's oxalic acid content may cause problems for people with kidney disease, kidney failure, or kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis or vulva pain. [Ref]
  • Patients with high blood sugar should eat half a fruit at one setting.  The sugar content of an entire fruit can spike sugar level from 100 to 250 within the first 45 minutes after ingestion.
Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs: ♦ Antidiabetic: Mei Gui Hua, Du Zhong, Dang Shen, HuoLong Guo, rougui, Celery, Chamomile, Moringa Tree, Basil, Ku Gua, Hibiscus, Gou Qi Zi, Ju Hua, Xia Ku Cao, Dang Gui, Zhi Mu, Shi gao, Xuan Shen, Cang Zhu, Shan yao, Huang Qi, Artichoke ♦Laxative: Hibiscus, Chamomile, Asparagus, Dragon Fruit, Zhu ling (Polypori Umbellati), Che Qian Zi, • Ze Xie, Mu Tong

Pharma Drugs:♦ Antidiabetic: Acarbose (Precose ) , Albiglutide (Tanzeum) , Alogliptin (Nesina) , Bromocriptine mesylate (Cycloset , Canaglifozin (Invokana) , Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) , Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) , Dulaglutide (Trulicity) , Empagliflozin (Jardiance) , Glimepiride (Amaryl) , glipizide (Glucotrol) , Glyburide (DiaBeta , Glynase) , Insulin , Linagliptin (Tradjenta) , Metformin , Miglitol (Glyset) , Nateglinide (Starlix) , Parlodel) , Pioglitazone (Actos) , Pramlintide , Repaglinide (Prandin) , Rosiglitazone (Avandia) , Saxagliptin (Onglyza) , Sitagliptin (Januvia) , Tol-Tab) , Tolazamide (Tolinase) , Tolbutamide (Orinase) ♦ Laxatives: Castor Oil, Citrucel, Colace Surfak, Correctol, Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, Fleet Enema, Fleet Phospho-Soda, GoLYTELY, GlycoLax, Magnesium Citrate, Milk of Magnesia, MiraLax, Metamucil, Microenema, Senokot

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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