Local remedy

Because of my upbringing, I stay away from doctors and medicines as much as I can. I grew up with my parents using bark, roots and leaves of plants to cure our illnesses. In the US, I was introduced by a Chinese friend to use this Lohan fruit for sore throat and I can tell you it works. Since I arrived here in Cebu, I have been dealing with a sore throat so I went to buy some Lohan and here it is. I boil the fruit then let it simmer, and when it's cooled I store it in the fridge. You drink it cold, but I prefer it hot, so I reheat it in the microwave. You can also buy them in cubes, the one on the left and just drop it in your hot cup of water. By the way, it is 300 times sweeter than coke, so I add a slice of lemon on mine.
Here's a page about it from Wikipedia.
Cultivation: It is grown primarily in the southwestern Chinese province of Guangxi (mostly in the mountains of Guilin), as well as in Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangxi. These mountains lend the plants shadows and often are surrounded by mists; because of this the plants are protected from the sun. Nonetheless, the climate in this southern province is warm. The plant is rarely found in the wild and has hence been cultivated for hundreds of years.

Records as early as 1813 mention the cultivation of this plant in the Guangxi province.[2] At present, the Guilin mountains harbor a plantation of 16 square kilometers with a yearly output of about 10,000 fruits. Most of the plantations are located in Yongfu County and Lingui County, which in China are renowned for the extraordinary number of centenarians. This is sometimes attributed to the consumption of this fruit and the unspoiled nature. The locals, however, believe in their calm lifestyle and simple diet.

Longjiang town ("Dragon River") in Yongfu County has acquired the name "home of the Chinese luohanguo fruit"; a number of companies specialised in making luohanguo extracts and finished products have been set up in the area. The Yongfu Pharmaceutical Factory is the oldest of these.

[edit] Traditional usesThe plant is most prized for its sweet fruits, which are used for medicinal purposes, and as a sweetener.[3] The fruits are generally sold in dried form, and traditionally used in herbal tea or soup. They are used for heat stroke, sore throat, chronic cough, and constipation, and are reputed to aid longevity. The fruit is also used as a natural sweetener in the treatment of diabetes and obesity.[4]