Lóng Yǎn Ròu · Longan Fruit Flesh
Lóng Yǎn Ròu (龙眼肉, Longan Fruit Flesh) is a herb of Warm nature and Sweet flavor, in the “Blood Tonifying” category. Tradition uses it to nourish Heart Blood, Tonify Spleen Qi, Calm Spirit.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Lóng Yǎn Ròu
- Characters
- 龙眼肉
- Botanical name
- Dimocarpus longan Lour.
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Part used
- Fruit flesh (aril)
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Sweet
- Meridians
- Heart, Spleen
- Category
- Blood Tonifying
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Caution
- Origin
- China (Guangdong), China (Fujian), Southeast Asia
Actions according to tradition
- Nourish Heart Blood
- Tonify Spleen Qi
- Calm Spirit
- Nourish Blood
Traditional uses
- Heart and spleen deficiency with insomnia
- Anxiety, palpitations, and forgetfulness
- Poor memory from blood and qi deficiency
- Fatigue and weakness of the spleen
- Recovery after prolonged illness
Studied effects and current applications
- Nourishes heart blood to calm the spirit
- Tonifies spleen qi to improve thinking and concentration
- Addresses anxiety, worry, and insomnia from blood deficiency
- Sweet flavor supports spleen transformation
- Improves memory and cognitive function
Applications under investigation
- Anxiety and insomnia
- Cognitive decline and memory support
- Stress and burnout
- Post-illness recovery
- Blood deficiency anemia
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Phlegm-fire disturbing heart
- Excess heat conditions
Relative contraindications
- Damp-heat patterns
- Diabetes (high sugar content)
- Pregnancy
- Use cautiously. Sweet and warming nature may cause heat in pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Safe as food herb for children with blood deficiency.
- Older adults
- Excellent for elderly with heart-spleen deficiency and insomnia.
Possible adverse effects
- Heat signs with excessive consumption
- Blood sugar elevation (diabetics)
When to stop
- Heat signs appear
- Diabetics should monitor blood sugar
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAO Inhibitors | Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine | Mild | High tyramine-like content may interact with MAOIs Use cautiously with MAOIs |
| Sedatives | Benzodiazepines, Zolpidem | Mild | May have additive sedative effects for sleep Monitor sedation level |
With other herbs
- suan_zao_ren Combined for insomnia from heart-spleen deficiency
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 9-15 grams daily
- Culinary use
- 15-30g fresh or dried as food
- Acute use
- 2-4 weeks
- Chronic use
- 1-3 months
- Maximum
- Long-term as food herb
- Children
- Safe for children as food-herb.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 9-15g in 3 cups water 20-30 min. Drink warm before bed.
Insomnia from blood deficiency
Add dried longan to soups, porridges, or teas. 15-30g daily.
Long-term blood and spirit nourishment
Soak 60g in 500ml rice wine for 2-3 weeks. Take 1 tbsp before bed.
Heart and spleen tonification
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Polysaccharides, adenosine and flavonoids
Heteropolysaccharides (rhamnogalacturonans) · Immunomodulator, antioxidant, neuroprotective
Activation of macrophages and NK cells, reduction of neuronal oxidative stress · 10-25% in aril extract
Nucleoside and purine base · Cardioprotective, sleep modulator, anxiolytic
Adenosine A1 receptor agonism (sleep, cardioprotection) · 0.01-0.05%
Ellagitannins · Antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral
Radical scavenging, topoisomerase inhibition, viral protease inhibition · 0.1-0.5%
Vitamins · Antioxidant, neurological (thiamine), hematopoietic
Essential enzymatic cofactors in energy metabolism and collagen synthesis · Vitamin C: 84mg/100g (fresh); B1: 0.04mg/100g
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Summer (July-August) when the fruits are ripe
Fresh longan pulp (Dimocarpus longan). The outer rind is peeled, the black pit is removed and the translucent-ivory pulp is dried.
Peeled, pitted ripe fruits, pulp spread on trays and dried in the sun or with gentle heat (not exceeding 60°C). The dried pulp is golden-brown and semi-translucent.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
