Longan & My Health

Tropical Fruits


Longan (simplified Chinese: 龙眼) is very popular in china as both afresh or dried fruit and in oriental medicine

Longan (traditional Chinese: 龍眼, dragon’s eye) - chemo-preventive and have liver protective properties

Longan (traditional Chinese: 龍眼, dragon’s eye) - The Euphoria seed contains the highest levels of the three phenolics, and pulp contains the lowest (copyrighted to Ian Maguire and the University of Florida).

Longan literally "dragon eye" is a tropical tree native to southern China contains several vitamins and minerals - by (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)

Longan also called guiyuan (桂圓) in Chinese contains large amounts of vitamins A and C - by courtesy of Tradewindsfruit.com

Longan also known as mata kucing (literally "cat's eye") in Malaysia has phenolic compounds in the fruit including gallic acid, corilagin, ellagic acid and antioxidant - by courtesy of Tradewindsfruit.com

The longan (simplified Chinese: 龙眼; traditional Chinese: 龍眼; pinyin:lóngyǎn; Cantonese long-ngan; literally "dragon eye"; Thai ลำไย) is a tropical tree native to southern China. It is also found in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.It is also called guiyuan (桂圓) in Chinese, lengkeng in Indonesia, mata kucing (literally "cat's eye") in Malaysia, nhãn in Vietnamese (The Species: Euphorialongana Lamk. named "long nhãn" in Vietnamese- literally "dragon's eyes"), Mora in Sinhalese (Sri Lanka) and also "longan" in Tagalog.

Benefits of Longan:

Longan fruit contains several vitamins and minerals,

including iron,

magnesium,

phosphorus

potassium,

large amounts of vitamins A and C

Euphoria fruit also has phenolic compounds in the fruit, such as

gallic acid,

corilagin, and

ellagic acid,

antioxidant,

chemo-preventive,

liver protective properties.

The Euphoria seed contains the highest levels of the three phenolics, and pulp contains the lowest.

Some facts of Longan

Also known as the dragon’s eye, the longon is very popular in china as both afresh or dried fruit and in oriental medicine. Native to southern china, the fruit is growing in popularity in the west with orchards being developed in Hawaii and Florida. There are also many trees found in India.

The Longan was introduced into Florida in 1903 but never became popular until the kohala variety was introduced from Hawaii in 1954. The recent named Egami variety is one of the more popular types of longon in Hawaii. Full grown trees given may yield 400 to 500 lbs of fruit in good years.

The longan tree is a symmetrical, evergreen tree with dense dark green foliage. Depending upon climate and soil type the tree may grow over 100 ft (31 m) tall. However, in south Florida, trees typically grow to 30-40 ft (9.1-12.2 m) in height and width. The crown tends to be round or oblong and the bark is corky.

Full grown trees given may yield 400 to 500 lbs of fruit in good years - (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)

Longan was introduced into Florida in 1903. There are also many trees found in India. - (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)

Longans tree pruning - (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)

Longans tree pruning - (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)


Longan fruit prunned - (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)


Longan's flower - (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)

Longans are much eaten fresh, out-of-hand, but some have maintained that the fruit is improved by cooking. In China, the majority are canned in sirup or dried.

Nutritional information

Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion
	Fresh	Dried
Calories	61	286
Moisture	82.4 g	17.6 g
Protein	1.0 g	4.9 g
Fat	0.1 g	0.4 g
Carbohydrates	15.8 g	74.0 g
Fiber	0.4 g	2.0 g
Ash	0.7 g	3.1 g
Calcium	10 mg	45 mg
Phosphorus	42 mg	196 mg
Iron	1.2 mg	5.4 mg
Thiamine		0.04 mg
Ascorbic Acid	6 mg (possibly)	28 mg

Adapted from:
http://sggsgptp14ws023.code1.emi.philips.com/media/WAVE/Health_Campaign-Fruit-Week4.pdf
- By Courtesy of PHILIPS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longan
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG049 (Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape - CREDITS: Ian Maguire UF/IFAS/TREC)

Dragon Fruit & My Health

Tropical Fruits

Pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with white flesh.

Able to enhance the body metabolism (Protein)

Dragon Fruit (Pitahaya), 龙珠果 - Maintain the health of the eyes (Carotene)

Dragon Fruit (Pitahaya), 龙珠果 - Moisturize and smoothen skin and decrease bad cholesterol level (Vitamin B3)

Dragon Fruit (Pitahaya), 龙珠果 - Improves the immune system and promotes healing of cuts and bruises (Vitamin C)

Dragon Fruit (Pitahaya), 龙珠果 - Hylocereus costaricensis (Costa Rica Pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh
Improve memory (Carotene)

Maintain the health of the eyes (Carotene)

Tissue development (Phosphorus)

Dragon Fruit (Pitahaya), 龙珠果 - Hylocereus megalanthus (Yellow Pitaya) has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh
Strengthen bones and teeth development (Calcium)


Dragon Fruit (Pitaya or Pitahaya), 龙珠果/火龙果/火龍果 - Cactus Species, Genus Hylocereus (sweet pitayas)
Also known as Strawberry Pear, Nanettikafruit, Thanh Long, Cactus fruit, Night blooming Cereus, Belle of the Night, Cinderella plant.

A pitaya is the fruit of a cactus species, the genus Hylocereus (sweet pitayas). This fruit are also known as pitahaya, dragon fruit, huǒ lóng guǒ (火龍果/火龙果, "fire dragon fruit"), lóng zhū guǒ (龙珠果 "dragon pearl fruit"), strawberry pear, nanettikafruit, thanh long, Cactus fruit, Night blooming Cereus, Belle of the Night, Cinderella plant.

Sweet pitayas have a creamy pulp and a delicate aroma.

Variant names

Common name: Dragon Fruit or Dragon Pearl Fruit.

Scientific name: Hylocereus undatus, or its synonym, Cereus triangularis.

Malay name: Kaktus madu.

Chinese name: Long guo, 龙果 (Mandarin).

Vietnamese name: Thanh long.

Other common names: Pitahaya, Strawberry Pear, Cactus fruit, Night blooming Cereus, Belle of the Night, Cinderella plant.

Origin and distribution

The fruit is native to Central America. It is known as Pitahaya in Mexico and as Pitaya roja in Central America and northern South America. Pitahaya is the Spanish name for fruiting vines of Central America. The fruit was introduced in Vietnam by the French over a hundred years ago. According to some, the French took the fruit from Nicaragua and Columbia while others said they brought it from Guyana (South America) in 1870 as an ornamental plant. For its large attractive flowers which bloom only at night, the flamboyant plant is also known as "moonflower" or "lady of the night".

Dragon fruit (火龍果/火龙果) at Chiyai Market

Tall dragon fruit (火龍果/火龙果) plant at house entrance, Old Town, San Diego

Dragon Fruits contain the following
Fiber
Calcium
Iron
Phosphorus
Carotene (Vitamin A)
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

Health Benefits Of Dragon Fruit
Enhance the body metabolism (Protein)
Improve digestion (Fiber)
Reduce Fat (Fiber)
Improve memory (Carotene)
Maintain the health of the eyes (Carotene)
Strengthen bones and teeth development (Calcium)
Tissue development (Phosphorus)
Help to metabolize carbohydrates and produce energy (Vitamin B1)
Improve appetite (Vitamin B2)
Moisturize and smoothen skin and decrease bad cholesterol level (Vitamin B3)
Improves the immune system and promotes healing of cuts and bruises (Vitamin C)

Interesting Facts
The flowers of the dragon fruit plant only bloom at night and usually only live for one night. For this reason, they are often called Moonflower or Queen of the Night. Pollination happens at this time to allow the fruit to emerge.

The flowers of the dragon fruit give out a very beautiful scent and the smell can fill the night air wherever the plants grows.

Dragon Fruit (火龍果/火龙果) plant in Vietnam - by Courtesy of Jack Goh (on right in the photo)

Dragon Fruit Farm (toothfairy)


Chokchai Dragon Fruit Farm at Pakchong, Korat province in Thailand

Fred Karlsson among his dragon fruit (火龍果/火龙果) trees

Dragon Fruit (PITAYA) - in garden


Dragon Fruit (PITAYA) - Oceanic Thai


Than Long Green Dragon

VUON THANH LONG Blue dragon garden in Vietnam (Phan Thiet)

Sweet pitayas come in three types:
a) Hylocereus undatus (Red Pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with white flesh.
b) Hylocereus costaricensis (Costa Rica Pitaya) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh
c) Hylocereus megalanthus (Yellow Pitaya) has yellow-skinned fruit with white flesh.

Adapted from:

http://sggsgptp14ws023.code1.emi.philips.com/media/WAVE/Health_Campaign-Fruit-Week3.ppt
By Courtesy of Philips

http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_768_2005-01-11.html

http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/index.htm

http://www.yebber.com/review/dragon-fruit-farm-spring-orchard

http://wchow.home.znet.com/DG2005/dg2005.htm

Chek Jawa - Treasure at Pulau Ubin

The Beautiful Bridge - Courtesy of Philips


The View from the top - Courtesy of Philips


The Green View from the top - Courtesy of Philips


Resort House for Visitors - Courtesy of Philips


The Beautiful Bridge Again - Courtesy of Philips


The Mysterious Tree by Night - Courtesy of Philips


Tour Map of Chek Jawa - Courtesy of Philips and Wild Singapore


Chek Jawa by Google Map - Courtesy of Wild Singapore


Chek Jawa Sketch Map - Courtesy of Wild Singapore


The hottest new cause here is the environment, and various activities to save Mother Earth have spread like wildfire online.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HAZEL CONSUNJI

'Otterman' spreads the eco-message

POSSIBLY the country's first green blogger, Mr N. Sivasothi (above), 42, helped bring to public attention Pulau Ubin's Chek Jawa, which started the effort to save the wetlands from reclamation in 2001.

In the last decade, the ecology lecturer at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has trained hundreds of NUS students to be nature guides, as part of a commitment to share Singapore's natural heritage with its people.

To spread the message of eco-oriented goings-on here, the tech-savvy zoologist, who goes by the moniker Otterman, began sending out e-mail lists in 1998.

He set up webpages in 1999, and went on to upload digital shots in 2001 on his website, www.habitatnews.nus.edu.sg. Each step kept pace with the milestones of the Internet's evolution, he said.

His dedication proved useful to galvanising support for Ubin's Chek Jawa.

'One e-mail to NUS staff and another post on habitatnews and we saw several hundreds of people responding and turning up at Chek Jawa over two weekends.'

Today, besides giving talks, conducting guided tours and leading the Toddy Cats in their annual coordination of the International Coastal Clean-up Singapore (ICCS), he encourages students to blog about their discoveries in green, blue and brown - flora, marine life and trash-collecting, calling the few who do 'modern-day naturalists, putting out the news of tomorrow'.

The latest way to get started, he suggested, is 'mini-blogs' at posterous.com, where each e-mail is turned into a posting.

Adapted from:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_268598.html
http://www.wildsingapore.com/chekjawa/text/a001.htm
http://chekjawa.nus.edu.sg/index.html
http://chekjawa.nus.edu.sg/ria/index.html

Reflection - My Singular Existence

The Sunday Times, 27 Aug 2008

Guava & My Health

Tropical Fruits


Guava contains more vitamin C than orange


Guava with pinkish flesh

Philips Health Campaign - Fruit of the week

Health Facts
Guava is a tropical fruit that is shape like a pear, with green rind on its skin. The flesh is pinkish or white flesh with small seeds.

Some people say Guava is better than orange because guava contain more Vitamin C than orange but is a lot cheaper than orange.

The skin of guava contains more than 5 times Vitamin C than that of an orange.

Guava also contain the following:

Vitamin A and B

Calcium

Nicotinic Acid

Phosphorus

Potassium

Iron

Folic acid

Fiber

Health Benefit

Guava is Beneficial in the following cases :

Prolonged menstruation

High blood pressure

Poor circulation (strengthen the heart)

Congestion of the lungs

Acidosis

Asthma

Catarrh

Obesity

Scurvy

Adapted from:

https://www.mail.philips.com/OWA/redir.aspx?C=131af30704c34ab8863c59912c1e184c&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsggsgptp14ws023.code1.emi.philips.com%2fmedia%2fWAVE%2fHealth_Campaign-Fruit-Week.ppt

Mangosteen & My Health

Tropical Fruits

Mangosteen - Can prevent Aging Proccess

Mangosteen - Queen of Fruits

Philips Health Campaign - Fruit of the week

Prized because of its exquisite flavor, the Mangosteen (no relation to the Mango of course) is called the "Queen of Fruits" in Asia and the "Food of the Gods" in the French Caribbean.

Scientific studies have revealed an incredible scope of potent human health benefits leading many to believe that Mangosteen will be the most important fruit on earth.

One of its biggest advantages is the presence of antioxidants, which is well-known to stop the aging process. There are also other natural supplements such as: fiber, potassium, calcium, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6, to name a few.

One of the greatest benefits of the mangosteen fruit is that it strengthens the body’s immune system, thus helping it to fight infections and other diseases.

Adapted from:

http://sggsgptp14ws023.code1.emi.philips.com/