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 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 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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