FUN FACTS BN: Dimocarpus longan AKA 龙眼 (lóng yǎn). Longans are the second most imported fruit by China, but the biggest importer is Thailand. CONSTITUENTS Phenolic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharides. USES/BENEFITS (Disclaimer) One can find many scientific studies documenting the benefits of longans by searching for “Dimocarpus longan phytochemicals”. Study has shown longan extracts have drug ability as anti- HIV-1…
Continue ReadingFUN FACTS BN: Matricaria chamomilla. AKA Baboonig, Babuna, Babuna camornile, Babunj, German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, Roman chamomile, English chamomile, Camomilla, Flos chamomile, Single chamomile, sweet false chamomile, pinheads, and scented mayweed¹, 洋甘菊, 黄春菊(Huáng chūnjú). Chamomile tea can lighten hair. It is the national flower of Russia. There’s a chamomile lawn at Buckingham Palace. It’s a mild tranquilizer. CONSTITUENTS flavonoids, mucilage,…
Continue ReadingFUN FACTS BN : Asparagus officinalis AKA 芦笋 (Lúsǔn), Sparrow grass. It takes three years from seed to harvest. Everyone makes “asparagus pee,” but whether one can smell depends on one’s genes. China is the world’s largest asparagus producer. Oceana County, Michigan is the self-proclaimed asparagus capital of the world. White asparagus is regular asparagus grown without sunlight. Purple…
Continue ReadingFUN FACTS Botanical name: Chrysanthemum morifolium, AKA 菊花 (júhuā), mums, In Chinese art, four plants stood for the noble ones or the Four Gentlemen, and represents the four seasons. They are chrysanthemum ( autumn), plum blossom (梅花 méihuā , winter), orchid (兰花 lánhuā, spring) and bamboo (竹 Zhú, summer). Chrysanthemum is the official flower of Chicago, Illinois since 1966. CONSTITUENTS Volatile oils(borneol, bornyl acetate,…
Continue ReadingFUN FACTS Botanical name: Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae). AKA Roselle, Luo Shen Hua 洛神花 or mei gui qie 玫瑰茄, Agua De Jamaica, , Indici Flower. Native to North African and Southeast Asia. The seeds, leaves, flower and calyx are all used. 2 The leaves can be eaten green, dried, or cooked as a vegetable. Seeds are sometimes used as a substitute…
Continue ReadingFUN FACTS BN: (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) AKA 洋蓟 (yángjì). In China, it’s common practice to boil artichoke for the juice, but throw out the parts. Castroville, California claims to be the Artichoke Capital of the World. In 1947 Marilyn Monroe, then still going by her given name Norma Jean, was crowned Castroville’s first Artichoke…
Continue ReadingFUN FACTS BN: Momordica charantia AKA 苦瓜 (kǔguā ), bitter gourd, bitter squash, balsam-pear, gohyah tea. In Chinese cooking, it’s often stir-fried, or used for soups. CONSTITUENTS Contains beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, carotenoids, momordin, vicine and charatin, peptide, cucurbitacins, glycosides, and alkaloid. Vitamin C, A, folate and small amounts B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, potassium, and fiber. Flavonoids, coumarins,…
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