Long Yan Rou — Longan pulp
Long Yan Rou—the pulp of the longan fruit—is a sweet, warming tonic that nourishes both blood and qi. It strengthens the spleen and the heart and is particularly valued for treating blood deficiency accompanied by insomnia, forgetfulness, and palpitations. As both a delicious food and a medicinal herb, it is particularly suitable for weakened patients recovering from illness or blood loss. The *Shén Nóng Běn Cǎo Jīng* classifies it in the highest category.
Effect from a Western perspective
- Long Yan Rou contains glucose, sucrose, vitamins (A, B, C), amino acids, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. Phytochemical analyses identified ellagic acid, corilagin, and quercetin as important bioactive compounds with antioxidant effects. Chinese research groups documented neuroprotective and memory-enhancing effects in animal models—the polyphenol fraction inhibited acetylcholinesterase and demonstrated a protective effect against oxidative neuronal damage.
- Adenosine, as a natural sleep-regulating neurotransmitter, modulates sleep-promoting receptors in the CNS—which provides biochemical support for its traditional use in treating insomnia. Immunomodulatory polysaccharides activate macrophages and increase NK cell activity in vitro. Clinical data in humans are still limited; however, basic research supports TCM indications for exhaustion, nervousness, and immune deficiency.
Effect from a TCM perspective
- Long Yan Rou nourishes the heart blood and calms the mind—for insomnia, forgetfulness, anxiety, and palpitations caused by heart blood deficiency.
- It strengthens spleen qi and promotes blood formation.
- It's ideal for chronic fatigue, a pale complexion, and loss of appetite following a long illness.
- It lifts the qi and prevents sagging—in cases of uterine prolapse and chronic diarrhea caused by spleen qi deficiency.
- Its warming nature makes it particularly suitable for people with a cold constitution.
Application & dosage
- 10–15 g in a decoction (standard dose)
- Up to 30 g in cases of severe anemia
- As tea or a snack: 5–10 pieces daily
Dosage forms
- Decoction
- Tea
- dried as a snack
- Congee
- Wine
- Granules
Dosage
- 10–15 g (decoction)
- up to 30 g in cases of severe anemia
- As food, 5–10 pieces daily
Frequent combination partners
Long Yan Rou often does not reach its full potential until it is combined with other herbs
Combinations & formulas
- With Ren Shen and Huang Qi in Gui Pi Tang—the primary formula for spleen qi deficiency and heart blood deficiency accompanied by insomnia, forgetfulness, and fatigue.
- With Suan Zao Ren and Dang Gui in cases of anemia accompanied by sleep disturbances and heart palpitations.
- With Bai Zhu and Fu Ling for spleen weakness accompanied by loss of appetite and loose stools.
- With Sheng Jiang and Da Zao as a nourishing tea after an illness.
History & Tradition
Long Yan Rou is listed in the *Shén Nóng Běn Cǎo Jīng* as a first-class herb—a sign that it nourishes the body without harming it. The name Lóng Yǎn Ròu—Dragon-Eye-Fruit—derives from the resemblance of the peeled fruit to an eyeball: the translucent fruit surrounds a dark, shiny core.
During the Ming Dynasty, the physician Wang Kentang used Long Yan Rou as the main ingredient in his variation of Gui Pi Tang—a formula that is still considered today to be the most important treatment for concurrent heart-blood deficiency and spleen-qi deficiency.
Contraindications & caution
Do not use in cases of phlegm-dampness, bloating, or nausea—its sweet, warm nature generates dampness and may aggravate phlegm. Do not use in cases of internal heat or yin deficiency with signs of heat. Use with caution during pregnancy if there is a tendency toward edema or dampness. Use with caution in cases of diabetes due to the high sugar content. Do not use in cases of acute infections accompanied by fever.
Botany
Dimocarpus longan is an evergreen tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) that grows to a height of 10–20 m. The spherical fruits (2–3 cm in diameter) have a thin, brownish skin and translucent, juicy flesh. For medicinal use, the flesh is dried—it turns dark brown and shriveled in the process.
Distribution: Southeastern China (Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi), Thailand, Vietnam. Harvested in late summer.
Occurrence
Southeast China (Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi), Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar. Cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Harvest time
Late summer (July–August); depending on the region, sometimes as late as September.
Processing
Fresh fruits are harvested and dried—either in the sun or with hot air. The pulp (aril) is separated from the shell and seed. The dried pieces of pulp—dark brown, slightly sticky, and sweet—are used for medicinal purposes.
Related herbs
Herbs with similar effects and related areas of application
Comparable western herbs
- Valerian (*Valeriana officinalis*) — has a calming effect on the nervous system and promotes sleep. Both plants reduce nervousness and difficulty falling asleep; valerian has a cooling and drying effect, while Long Yan Rou has a nourishing and warming effect and also strengthens the blood and spleen qi.
- Lemon balm (*Melissa officinalis*) — Calms the nerves, promotes relaxation, and has a mild mood-lifting effect. Overlap in cases of nervous restlessness and sleep disturbances; lemon balm has a cooling and drying effect and is suitable for “heat” constitutions, while Long Yan Rou is suitable for “cold deficiency” conditions.
- Oats (*Avena sativa*) — A nourishing nervine for chronic exhaustion, nervous weakness, and the recovery phase following illness. Functionally comparable to the tonifying effect of Long Yan Rou; oats address the nervous system, while Long Yan Rou specifically nourishes heart blood and spleen qi.
- Beets (*Beta vulgaris*) — Rich in iron and folic acid; in Western naturopathy, it is considered a blood-building agent following blood loss or exhaustion — functionally comparable to the blood-nourishing effect of Long Yan Rou.