Outstanding health benefits of longan fruit A series of Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former D.G. Agriculture & Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar [email protected]

Outstanding health benefits of longan fruit A series of Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former D.G. Agriculture & Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar [email protected]

1. Longan Longan, also known as “dragons eye” (because of a white eye shaped mark on the pit that appears as a pupil in the large eye) are soft and smaller than lychee fruits. They are brown in colour and are referred as little brothers of lychee fruits. Longan whose scientific term is Dimocarpus longan , originated in China and later spread across the globe and is now widely cultivated in Thailand, India and in several other countries of Asia. Longan is available abundantly in the summer season and can be consumed both raw or as dried fruits.

2. Longan Nutritional Value: Longan fruit contains rich amount of Vitamin C that is equal to 80% of daily requirement. It also contains minerals like iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. It is also rich in Vitamin A and essential in anti-oxidants.

3. Longan as Anti Depressant Longan does miracles to nerve problems and is highly recommended as an anti-depressant. They give a relaxing effect to the nerves and are proven to enhance the nerve function, lower irritability and reduce fatigue. Longans treat neurasthenic neurosis and insomnia and are also capable to deal with neurasthenic and sleeping disorder.

4. Longans improve wound healing capability and increases longevity.  Together with polyphenols, it helps to combat the free radicals within the body and prevents cells damage. It also helps to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

5. Longan improve blood circulation A nd increases the iron assimilation in human body. This in turn prevents the occurrence of anaemia

6. Longan is an excellent energy enhancer A nd is an outstanding Qi tonic which raises long term energy. Being a Qi tonic, it can be used to alleviate sleeplessness, lapse of memory and also anxiousness which are the outcome of blood and Qi deficienc

7. Longan fruit is low in fats and calories it is a healthy option for those who want to cut down fats from their body. Longans also contain complex carbohydrates which raise energy, enhance stamina and reduce food cravings.  A half cup of longan contains only 35 calories making it a healthy addition to a low calorie diet.

8. Longan contain a high amount of Vitamin C which is useful in safeguarding the body from cold and flu and improves the defense mechanism. Vitamin C assists in soaking up iron and improves the skin condition as well.

9. Longan Benefits Heart It benefits the heart condition by cutting down stress and fatigue. It effectively stimulates spleen and heart conditions, rejuvenates blood circulation and provides a soothing effect on nervous system. It also reduces the risk of cardiac arrest and strokes.

10. Longan is beneficial for skin as well Longans contain anti-ageing properties and are proven to improve skin health.  This fruit is particularly beneficial for the delicate skin near the eyes, minimizing peeling and cracking of the skin and improves the skin tone. It also keeps the teeth and gums in a good condition.

11. Longan counteract heavy sweating The seeds of Longans are known to, the pulverized kernel which contains saponin , tannin and fat that serve as a substance that draws the tissue together thereby constricting he tissue and effectively stops blood and other secretion.

12. Longan Treat Snake Bite The seeds of longan are proven to treat snake bites. Pressing the eye of the seed against the snakebite area absorbs the venom and cures the bite. The seeds also contain saponin that works wonders for hair and can be used as an important ingredient in the shampoo

13. Longan is Effective to Fight Insomnia or Any Sleeping Disorder There are some substances contained in longan which is beneficial to help you dealing with your insomnia and any sleeping disorder. The first is the calming effect that will give you a very good night sleep because longan could assist in calming your nerve. You could say good bye to symptoms like fatigue and nervousness that could interference your sleep. The second is longan is rich of minerals that will keep your body to function normally and reduce the anxiety that also could be the main cause of insomnia.

14. Longan is Containing Polyphenols to Prevent the Development of Cancer All fruits which are rich of antioxidant always become the powerful solution to prevent the development of cancerous cells and longan is no exception since it is so rich of polyphenols. Cancerous cells could be caused by the untreated damaged cells caused by free radicals. Damaged cells could affect the healthy cells which cause an abnormal rapid growth of damaged cells in the body. The best way to deal with it is by removing the damaged cells before it will affect any healthy cells. Polyphenols has ability in dealing with those damaged cells and at the same time assisting in regeneration of new and healthy cells

15. Longan is Rich of Iron to Fight Anemia As rich of iron of course longan is able to fight anemia. Iron is essential in producing red blood cells; proper amount of red blood cells in the body means zero risk of anemia. Furthermore, longan is also rich of vitamin C and this vitamin is a natural substance that will help in optimizing the absorption of iron. Furthermore, longan is also rich of minerals like copper, magnesium and potassium which will keep your heart healthy so it will function properly and your blood regulation will regulate  normally.

16. Longan as Qi tonic for Energy Booster One more specialty of longan is it is so rich of Qi tonic. What is Qi tonic? It is a natural substance that could assist in enhancing energy as well as raising long term energy. That’s why longan is also well known as an energy booster fruit. Besides that Qi tonic is also well known as memory enhancer. So, if you are currently in situation that forces you to be in long term stamina and fresh mind, for example is monthly closed meeting which required longer time than any meeting you should attend in a month, instead of consuming a certain drugs, consuming longan is much more recommended.

17. Longan for Healthier Brain Function One of the important substances to make sure the brain cells are working optimally is enough distribution of copper. Longan is also rich of copper which will produce norepinephrine, a chemical compound which is essential to brain functions optimally. Besides that, copper also contributes in maintaining the nerve system which assists brain in sending messages to the whole nerve systems inside the body.

18. Longan for Healthy Weight Loss Diet Fruits should be put as part of your diet if you are currently in weight loss program. Longan is quite rich in carbohydrate which is essential to form energy, so even during diet your body will get enough stamina but at the same time will assist in reducing your craving towards foods. Furthermore, longan is also containing adequate amount of water which will keep your body dehydrated

19. Longan as Sex Tonic Longan as sex tonic has been well known since ancient time by Chinese; that’s why, instead of fruit, Chinese recognized longan as herbal medicine at the first time due to its ability to provide longer energy which is good for any sexual activity.

20. Longan as Natural Remedy for Stomachache Perhaps there is no more delicious way to treat stomachache but eating longan . Longan contained certain substances that could help as home remedy to treat some stomach problem like pain and infection. It is due to its ability to act as antimicrobial that will treat stomach problem by removing or killing the cause of infections.

21. Longan Has Calming Effect which is Good for Nerve System As mentioned above, longan is excellent remedy to deal with stress, actually it is closely related to the fact that longan is rich of potassium and magnesium which has prominent contribution in calming the nerve system .

22. Longan Will Benefit for Eye-sight Ribovlafin is very essential in keeping the eye health. Ribovlafin as part of Vitamin B complex could assist in reducing the risk of eye disorder, especially cataracts. This is one type of antioxidant which will provide one layer of defense toward free radicals which will cause some damaged cells in eye’s membrane. Furthermore, in long term, consuming longan could reduce the risk of age-related condition that commonly affects the vision once a person reaches a senior age.

23. Longan Has Big Contribution in Red Blood Cells Production As rich in minerals like copper, magnesium and potassium of course longan has big contribution in assisting heart to produce and distribute blood to all body system. Besides that, longan is also rich of vitamin C which could help optimizing the absorption of iron which is essential in the production of red blood cells. In other words, you could prevent any interference of iron from other nutrients just by consuming longan which is rich of vitamin C.

24. Longan is also Good for Bone Health One of the reasons why a person is suffering from a bone condition is due to mineral deficiency in the body. Besides that age factor is also contributing in making this condition worse especially in female that has entered postmenopausal stage, the lack of mineral could cause a certain bone conditions like osteoporosis.

25. Longan Could Assist in Controlling Blood Pressure Two substances like potassium and magnesium are essential to assist in controlling blood pressure. Fortunately, longan is contained quite high content of minerals like potassium and magnesium. Furthermore, its calming effect also has big contribution in relaxing the heart muscle and nerves so heart organ will not work like it is forced to work and as the result you will have healthier heart and at the same time could reduce some worst scenario caused by serious heart condition like stroke and cardiac arrest.