Luo Han Kuo - Arhat Fruit

  
Uses of Monk Fruit
 The unpublished manuscript written by George Weidman Groff and Hon Hin Cheung in 1938 had stated the helpful uses of this sweet fruit. 

The dried pulp of the fruit is cooked with meat, especially pork in the form of soup. 

Luo Han Guo fruit is also dried and steeped as tea to make a herbal drink.

Benefits of Monk Fruit
La Han Guo fruit is an extremely sweet fruit.
It is used as a natural low-calorie sweetener in traditional Chinese medicines. 

The fruit is also a rich source of vitamin C and a great remedy for heat stroke and high fever. 

The fruit herbal tea is generally used to treat common cold and chest congestion. 

Digestion also improves with the regular consumption of La Han Guo. 

Herbal tea prepared with this fruit is extremely beneficial for detoxification and treating headache. 

American Food and Drugs Association have certified this fruit and its extract as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe).
Monk fruit has been regarded the fruit providing longevity due to its consumption in the Chinese regions where the number of citizens above the age of 100 years and more is exceptionally high.

See Following Article:

http://www.spikenardandmyrrh.com/2012/04/luo-han-guo-monks-fruit.html

Spleen Chi Deficiency

The Spleen in Chinese Medicine is responsible for much of the digestive process. 

The Spleen works with the Stomach to extract life giving and supporting nutrients from the food that you eat. 

From there it then sends what what fluids and essences it has refined to the Lungs for further process and nurturing. 

The Spleen is responsible for the creation of the Qi that is required to sustain ones daily energy, along with blood and holding your internal organs in place. 

When the Spleen is weakened by improper food, excess intellectual stress, excessive worry or other factors, all of these processes will become inefficient and create disharmony. 

The following for usual manifestations of this deficiency.

Appetite: Low or No Morning Hunger
Appetite: None
Bowel Movements: Constipation
Bowel Movements,:Loose Stools
Bowel Movements: Undigested Food
Constitution: General Weakness
Cough: Chronic
Cravings: Sweet Flavors or Carbs
Diet: Breads, Pastries, Carbs
Diet: Sweets, Chocolate
Difficulty Gaining Weight
Difficulty Losing Weight
Digestion: Bloating or Abdominal Distention
Digestion: Slow Processing or Peristalsis
Digestion: Tired After Meals
Emotion: Excess Worry, Dwelling
Energy: Exhaustion
Energy: Fatigue, Chronic
Energy: Generally Low
Headaches: Dull, Non Specific
Headaches: Frontal
Headaches: Sinus Pressure
Immune: Frequent Cold's or Flu's
Immune: Prolonged Cold or Flu
Muscle: Bruise Easily
Muscle: Decrease, Undernourished
Muscle: Difficulty in Building Muscle Tissue and Strength
Muscle: Weak Tone
Nosebleeds
Organs: Prolapsed
Pain: Joint, Due to Edema
Phlegm: Excess and Clear, After Eating
Phlegm: Excess and Clear, Chronic
Phlegm: Excess and Clear, Upon Waking
Respiration: Short of Breath
Skin: Clammy, Sweaty [Cool]
Skin: Non Healing Sores
Sleep: Hard To Fall Sleep
Sweating: None
Sweating: Spontaneous
Sweating: With Minimal Exertion
Thirst: Never Thirsty
Vocalization: Soft, Very Quiet
Vocalization: Throat Phlegm, Constantly Clearing
Water Retention: Edema of Arms and Legs
Water Retention: Edema of Midsection
Water Retention: Facial Puffines
Water Retention: Increased Ear Pressure
Water Retention: Increased Eye Pressure
Water Retention: Muscle Pain, Lumps
Yeast Infection: Vaginal, White Without Odor

The Mother - Spleen

The Spleen Organ System is considered the center or mother nourishing your internal organs,

 by holding them into place as compared with the sun's gravity affecting the surrounding planets. 

The Spleen is known as the water pump focusing in on the body's initial water metabolic state. 

It houses the intelligence, controls appetite and the digestive function of extracting micro-essence from food and water, regulates the immune system, builds blood, nourishes the muscles, controls the blood within the vessels, promotes fast wound and bruise healing conditions.

The spleen function is damaged by over-thinking/dwelling/pensiveness, is affected by the emotions of selfishness and selflessness and is damaged by dampness and cold. 

When the Spleen is weak it can manifest in many different patterns leading to disharmonies such as slow or no muscle growth, lowered intelligence, a weak appetite or digestive ailments and usually water weight gain. 

The Spleen's direct correlation with thought, worry, intelligence and digestive processes can be present with anyone especially involved in the area of education or any position requiring a great amount of brain power -- for example: research scientist, lawyers, teachers, computer programmers, paramedics and nurses.

  Combine incorrect eating habits with fast food and intense studying and the Spleen has been set up for depletion.

The Spleen assists in controlling over or under-weight patterns.

It has an upward, lifting energy, its season is late summer, is represented by the color of yellow and is associated with the flavor of sweetness. 

Since the Spleen is responsible for all of these functions, it is inadvertently responsible for nourishing all of your organs by supplying the Qi and Blood needed for them to fulfill their functions, much like a mother is responsible for nourishing their own household.

Since the Spleen is mother of the Lungs, which are in charge of Wei Qi or immune energy, its health has a direct relationship to your immune response. 

The Spleen is also the initial builder of Blood in breaking down the micro-essence of food and water so its optimum function is very important. 

Why is it that some people are sick all the time while others, in the same environmental situation, can avoid a pathogenic invasion? 

It may be in what they eat, and most importantly, how they digest and transform water and food.

 A formula of herbs that may be used to promote the immune system.

The Spleen is also said to be in charge of the exocrine and endocrine glands such as the thyroid, pineal gland, pancreas, hypothalamus and lymph system. 

An important and delicate humeral and hormonal balance, as seen through the eyes of the Chinese medicine, relies on the balance and harmonization of the Spleen.

Spleen disharmonies:

Weak digestion
Low appetite
Low energy[chronic fatigue]
Loose stools/constipation
Excessive dwelling
Weak or low muscle tone
Low immune
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Weak constitution
Shortness of breath or perspiration upon excretion
Post surgery, chemo/radiation or childbirth
Easily bruised skin
Slow healing process
Facial or body edema

Other areas in regards to a weak Spleen Organ System may be related to joint pain, physical sluggishness, chronically tired or muscle ache and pain. 

When your Spleen and Stomach Qi are properly maintained your body will be in good health.
Since the Spleen has a lifting energy, when deficient, it may be a source of physical organ prolapse or even emotional depression. A common pattern seen through the eyes of a Chinese Medicine, as related to the Spleen , is the Liver invading the Spleen in which the Liver will have an adverse affect on the Spleen.

Miso and Weight Loss

The main health and weight loss benefits of Miso Soup are as follows:

Miso contains many trace minerals, including zinc, manganese, and copper, which can all contribute to the strengthening of the bodies immune system.
The high amount of nutrients present in miso helps boost energy and even protects bones and blood vessels.
Miso soup has a high level of zinc present which is valuable to immune function and wound healing.
A lot of organic compounds are found in miso, which can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Miso is often recommended to vegans, since it is naturally
high in protein, vitamin K, and vitamin B12.
Miso is great for the digestive tract, as it is high in fibre and probiotics.

Miso is a weight loss dream food as it only contains around 56 calories per one ounce serving and only two grams of fat.
A cup of miso soup is both satisfying and filling, since it has a high moisture content that curbs appetite and overeating.
Adding Miso soup to your everyday diet as a replacement for one of your high in fat/calorie food can significantly decrease the amount of calories you intake into your body.
The combination of wakame seaweed and miso is said to be an effective fighter against nicotine-related disorders.
 The remedy soothes those who are already sick much like chicken soup.
Antioxidants in the soup strengthen the immune system and, because miso
soothes acid in the system, it helps combat viral infections.

Benefits of Miso

Studies have shown the health benefits of miso on humans and animals. 

Benefits include reduced risks of breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancer, and protection from radiation. 

Researchers have found that consuming one bowl of miso soup per day,

can drastically lower the risks of breast cancer.

Ingredients contained in miso, such as unsaturated fat, isoflavon, yeast and lactic acid, are effective cancer preventatives.
According to Japan's National Cancer Centre, people who eat no miso soup at all are at a 50% higher risk of dying of stomach cancer than those who eat it every day. 
The long, slow process of fermentation needed to break down soy requires more hardy bacteria than is used for other fermented products, contributing the special health benefits of miso.
Studies showed that for cancers  the ideal length of fermentation was between 6 months and 2 years.
Miso fermented for 180 days is typically a rich color and has plenty of healthy microflora.
For cancer,  recommended 3 cups of miso a day. 

Miso has a very alkalizing effect on the body and strengthens the immune system to combat infection. Its high antioxidant activity gives it anti-aging properties.
Miso helps the body maintain nutritional balance.
It is loaded with other nutrients along with its beneficial bacteria and enzymes.
Miso provides protein, vitamin B12, vitamin B2, vitamin E, vitamin K, choline, linoleic acid, lecithin, and dietary fiber.
Its high content of the amino acid tryptophan makes miso a good choice
right before bedtime.
Tryptophan is nature's sleep inducer.

Miso helps preserve skin beauty through its content of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that helps skin stay soft and free of pigment.
Miso is a good for women with menopausal complaints because it is able to fill estrogen receptors and produce some of the actions of estrogen in the body.
Vitamin E, daisein, saponin and the brown pigment contained in miso act as anti-oxidants, which are powerful inhibitors of the ageing process.
 Miso also aids detoxification because the fermentation processes allow the large amounts of protein in the beans to be absorbed easily. The results - glowing skin and shiny hair.

The sodium in miso did not produce adverse effects in people with salt sensitivity and hypertension.
For high blood pressure,  recommended 2 cups, and for relief of menopausal symptoms, recommended 1 to 3 cups per day.
Maintenance amount is 1 cup per day.
This is the beneficial effects of replacing the salt used in food preparation with miso.

 Studies have also shown that people who eat miso frequently are less susceptible to stomach diseases such as gastritis and duodenal ulcers.
 Miso is also a source of dietary fibre, which cleans your intestines and is good for your bowels.
 As they say in Japan, a bowl of miso a day keeps the doctor away!

The Japanese have an old saying that miso soup is good for smokers.
This might have originated from the Edo period (1603-1867) when miso soup was used to clean pipes clogged with tar.
Whatever the origin, miso has an amazing cleansing ability on the body.
Its amino acids help rid your system of harmful toxins and it is often recommended as protection for smokers against the effects of nicotine.
Miso can also replenish vitamins and minerals after drinking too.