Herb Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Long Yan Rou

Longan Fruit Flesh · 龙眼肉

Dimocarpus longan Lour. · Arillus Longan

Also known as: Gui Yuan (桂圆)

Long Yan Rou (Longan Fruit Flesh) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Longan fruit is a gentle, sweet-tasting herb commonly used to nourish the blood, calm the mind, and support digestive strength. It is often recommended for people experiencing poor sleep, anxiety, forgetfulness, fatigue, or a pale complexion caused by overwork, stress, or recovery from illness. Because it doubles as a delicious food, it is one of the most accessible herbs in Chinese medicine.

Category Blood-tonifying herbs (补血药)
Therapeutic focus Sleep Support Stress and Anxiety Blood health Cognitive Health and Memory Postpartum recovery Digestive Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels entered

Heart, Spleen

Parts used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Long Yan Rou does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Long Yan Rou is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Sleep Support Stress and Anxiety Blood health Cognitive Health and Memory Postpartum recovery Digestive Health

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Long Yan Rou performs to restore balance in the body:

Tonifies the Heart and Spleen Nourishes Blood Calms the Spirit Tonifies Qi

How these actions work

'Tonifies the Heart and Spleen' means Lóng Yǎn Ròu nourishes both the Heart (which governs Blood and houses the mind) and the Spleen (the source of Qi and Blood production). Its sweet, warm nature gently supports these two organs, making it especially useful for people whose overthinking or chronic worry has drained the Heart and Spleen of their vitality. Signs that point to this action include poor appetite, fatigue, loose stools, and a feeling of mental fog or emotional fragility.

'Nourishes Blood' means this herb helps the body produce and replenish Blood. When Blood is insufficient, the body cannot properly nourish tissues and the complexion becomes pale or sallow, the lips lose their colour, and dizziness may occur. Lóng Yǎn Ròu addresses these signs through its sweet taste, which enters the Spleen to strengthen the Blood-making function, and simultaneously nourishes the Heart Blood directly. It is especially suited for Blood deficiency after illness, postpartum recovery, or chronic overwork.

'Calms the Spirit' means this herb helps settle the mind and promote restful sleep. In TCM, the Heart houses the spirit (Shén). When Heart Blood is insufficient, the spirit has no proper residence and becomes restless, leading to insomnia, vivid dreams, anxiety, and poor memory. By nourishing Heart Blood, Lóng Yǎn Ròu gives the spirit a stable foundation to rest upon. It is commonly used for people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to worry, mental exhaustion, or blood deficiency.

'Benefits Qi' means this herb mildly supports the body's Qi alongside its primary Blood-nourishing action. This dual ability to address both Qi and Blood simultaneously makes it particularly valuable, since Qi and Blood are interdependent: Qi is needed to generate Blood, and Blood carries and nourishes Qi. This is why Lóng Yǎn Ròu is used for general weakness and fatigue in the elderly, the chronically ill, or those recovering from surgery or childbirth.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Long Yan Rou is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Long Yan Rou addresses this pattern

Lóng Yǎn Ròu is one of the primary herbs for the Heart-Spleen dual deficiency pattern. Its sweet, warm nature enters both the Heart and Spleen channels, directly addressing the core pathomechanism: the Spleen is too weak to generate adequate Qi and Blood, and the Heart lacks sufficient Blood to anchor the spirit. The herb's sweet taste tonifies the Spleen to strengthen its Blood-producing function, while its warm quality gently activates this process. At the same time, it nourishes Heart Blood directly, calming the restless spirit that results from this deficiency. Unlike stronger tonics, Lóng Yǎn Ròu is mild and non-cloying, making it ideal for the gentle, sustained supplementation this pattern requires.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to Heart Blood deficiency

Severe Heart Palpitations

Palpitations (heart racing or fluttering) from blood failing to nourish the Heart

Poor Memory

Forgetfulness and poor concentration from insufficient Heart Blood

Eye Fatigue

Chronic tiredness and low stamina from Spleen Qi deficiency

Poor Appetite

Reduced appetite from weakened Spleen function

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Long Yan Rou is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, sleep depends on the spirit (Shén) being properly anchored in the Heart. The Heart needs adequate Blood to house the spirit. When the Heart and Spleen are both deficient (often from prolonged overthinking, worry, or overwork), the Spleen fails to produce enough Blood, and the Heart's Blood reserves become depleted. Without this nourishing foundation, the spirit becomes restless and cannot settle at night, leading to difficulty falling asleep, light and broken sleep, vivid dreaming, or waking early. This type of insomnia is typically accompanied by fatigue, poor appetite, a pale complexion, and forgetfulness, all signs of the underlying Heart-Spleen deficiency.

Why Long Yan Rou Helps

Lóng Yǎn Ròu directly targets the root cause of this type of insomnia. Its sweet, warm nature enters both the Heart and Spleen channels. By tonifying the Spleen, it strengthens the body's capacity to generate new Blood. By nourishing Heart Blood, it gives the spirit a stable home to rest in. Its calming effect on the spirit (Shén) makes it one of the most commonly chosen herbs for insomnia caused by deficiency rather than excess. It is a gentle tonic that can be taken over extended periods, and its pleasant taste makes it easy to incorporate into food-based preparations like porridge or the classical Yù Líng Gāo (a steamed paste with Xī Yáng Shēn).

Also commonly used for

Severe Heart Palpitations

From Heart Blood deficiency

Poor Memory

Forgetfulness from Heart-Spleen deficiency

Eye Fatigue

Chronic fatigue from Qi and Blood deficiency

Postmenstrual Bleeding

From Spleen not controlling Blood

Neurasthenia

Nervous exhaustion with insomnia and poor concentration

Postpartum Fever

Qi and Blood restoration after childbirth

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels Entered

Heart Spleen

Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Long Yan Rou — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

9-15g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in decoction for severe Blood and Qi deficiency, under practitioner guidance. In the classical Yu Ling Gao preparation, larger amounts are used in steamed paste form for long-term supplementation.

Dosage notes

At the lower range (9-10g), Long Yan Rou acts primarily as a gentle Heart and Spleen tonic, suitable for mild insomnia or poor appetite. At higher doses (12-15g), the Blood-nourishing and calming effects become more prominent, appropriate for significant Heart-Spleen deficiency with palpitations, anxiety, and forgetfulness. In the famous Yu Ling Gao (Jade Spirit Paste), a much larger amount of longan is steamed with sugar (and optionally Xi Yang Shen) for hours and taken in small spoonfuls daily as a concentrated tonic. This preparation bypasses the typical decoction dose. For people prone to Heat or Dampness, keep to the lower end of the range and combine with cooling or Dampness-resolving herbs.

Preparation

No special decoction handling required. Long Yan Rou is simply added to the decoction with other herbs and cooked normally. It can also be eaten directly, steeped in hot water as a tea, soaked in wine, or steamed into paste (as in Yu Ling Gao). When used in decoction, the sweet flesh dissolves readily. Store in a well-ventilated, dry place to prevent moisture absorption and insect infestation.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Long Yan Rou for enhanced therapeutic effect

Huang Qi
Huang Qi 1:1 (both at 18g in the classical Guī Pí Tāng dosage)

Huáng Qí powerfully tonifies Spleen Qi while Lóng Yǎn Ròu nourishes Heart Blood and calms the spirit. Together they address the Heart-Spleen dual deficiency pattern from both sides: Huáng Qí strengthens the Spleen's Qi so it can generate Blood, while Lóng Yǎn Ròu provides direct Blood nourishment and spirit-calming effects. This pairing exemplifies the principle that Qi and Blood must be supplemented together.

When to use: Heart-Spleen dual deficiency with both Qi and Blood symptoms: fatigue, poor appetite, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and a pale complexion.

Suan Zao Ren
Suan Zao Ren 1:1 to 1:2 (Lóng Yǎn Ròu 10–15g : Suān Zǎo Rén 10–30g)

Suān Zǎo Rén calms the spirit by nourishing Heart and Liver Yin and astringing Heart Qi, while Lóng Yǎn Ròu nourishes Heart Blood and tonifies the Spleen. Together they provide a comprehensive approach to insomnia and palpitations from Heart deficiency: one herb nourishes and calms from the Blood/Yin side, the other from the Qi/Blood-production side.

When to use: Insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety from Heart Blood deficiency, especially when accompanied by vivid dreaming, night sweating, or light and easily disturbed sleep.

Dang Gui
Dang Gui 3:1 (Lóng Yǎn Ròu 15g : Dāng Guī 3–6g, as in Guī Pí Tāng)

Both herbs nourish Blood, but through different mechanisms. Dāng Guī invigorates Blood circulation while nourishing it, preventing stasis. Lóng Yǎn Ròu gently tonifies both Qi and Blood through the Spleen and calms the spirit. Together they provide thorough Blood nourishment that is both circulating and calming.

When to use: Blood deficiency with symptoms of both the Heart (insomnia, palpitations) and the broader circulation (pale complexion, menstrual irregularity). Commonly seen in the Guī Pí Tāng formula.

Xi Yang Shen
Xi Yang Shen 10:1 (Lóng Yǎn Ròu 250–500g : Xī Yáng Shēn 25–50g)

Xī Yáng Shēn (American Ginseng) is sweet and cool, tonifying Qi and nourishing Yin. Lóng Yǎn Ròu is sweet and warm, nourishing Blood and calming the spirit. Together the warm and cool natures balance each other, preventing the warmth of Lóng Yǎn Ròu from generating excess heat while still powerfully supplementing Qi and Blood. This is the classic pairing in Yù Líng Gāo (Jade Spirit Paste).

When to use: Qi and Blood deficiency in people who tend toward heat or dryness (for whom Lóng Yǎn Ròu alone might be too warming). Postpartum recovery, chronic fatigue after illness, elderly weakness.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Long Yan Rou in a prominent role

Gui Pi Tang 归脾汤 King

Guī Pí Tāng is the definitive formula for Heart-Spleen dual deficiency and the single most important formula showcasing Lóng Yǎn Ròu. Here it serves as co-King alongside Huáng Qí (both at 18g in the classical dose). While Huáng Qí focuses on tonifying Spleen Qi, Lóng Yǎn Ròu complements it by nourishing Heart Blood and calming the spirit, perfectly demonstrating its dual Heart-Spleen action. The formula's very name ('Return to the Spleen') reflects its core strategy of restoring the Spleen's Blood-generating and Blood-controlling functions.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Da Zao
Long Yan Rou vs Da Zao

Both Lóng Yǎn Ròu and Dà Zǎo (Jujube) are sweet and warm, tonify Qi and Blood, and support the Spleen. However, Lóng Yǎn Ròu has a much stronger spirit-calming and Heart Blood-nourishing action, making it the better choice for insomnia, palpitations, and forgetfulness. Dà Zǎo is milder on the Heart but excels at harmonizing other herbs in a formula and protecting the Spleen from harsh ingredients. Dà Zǎo is the everyday kitchen tonic; Lóng Yǎn Ròu is the targeted Heart-Spleen medicinal.

Suan Zao Ren
Long Yan Rou vs Suan Zao Ren

Both herbs calm the spirit and treat insomnia, but through different mechanisms. Suān Zǎo Rén is sour and astringent, entering the Heart and Liver channels to nourish Liver Blood and Yin, astringe sweating, and settle the spirit. Lóng Yǎn Ròu is sweet and warm, entering the Heart and Spleen to nourish Blood and tonify Qi. Choose Suān Zǎo Rén when insomnia is accompanied by Liver Blood/Yin deficiency signs (night sweats, irritability); choose Lóng Yǎn Ròu when insomnia accompanies Spleen weakness with fatigue and poor appetite. They are often used together.

Bai Zi Ren
Long Yan Rou vs Bai Zi Ren

Both nourish the Heart and calm the spirit for insomnia and palpitations. Bǎi Zǐ Rén (Biota Seed) is sweet, enters the Heart and Kidney channels, and has a moistening quality that also lubricates the intestines (making it useful when insomnia is accompanied by dry constipation from Blood/Yin deficiency). Lóng Yǎn Ròu has no intestinal effect but is stronger at tonifying the Spleen and supplementing Qi alongside its Blood-nourishing action. Choose Bǎi Zǐ Rén for Heart-Kidney type insomnia with dryness; choose Lóng Yǎn Ròu for Heart-Spleen type insomnia with fatigue and weak digestion.

Identity & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Long Yan Rou

The most common quality concern is the addition of white or brown sugar during processing to increase weight and sweetness. Authentic medicinal-grade Long Yan Rou should be produced without added sugar. Sugar-adulterated product is overly sticky and clumps together more readily, and the sweetness may taste sharper rather than the natural rich sweetness of pure longan aril. Sulfur fumigation is another concern, sometimes used to lighten the color and extend shelf life. Sulfur-treated product may appear unnaturally light in color and can have a faint chemical smell. Always look for products labeled as sulfur-free (无硫). Long Yan Rou is not commonly confused with other species, as the fruit is quite distinctive, but the quality can vary enormously between cultivars and processing methods.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Long Yan Rou

Non-toxic

Long Yan Rou is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and has an excellent safety profile. It is both a food and a medicine (drug-food dual use). The only concern with excessive consumption is its high sugar content and warming nature, which can generate internal Heat and Dampness. Overconsumption may lead to symptoms sometimes colloquially called "longan sickness" (龙眼病): nosebleeds, mouth ulcers, oral mucosal inflammation, constipation, or diarrhea. These are signs of Heat accumulation rather than true toxicity, and they resolve upon discontinuation. No toxic compounds have been identified in the aril.

Contraindications

Situations where Long Yan Rou should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Internal Dampness with abdominal distension: Long Yan Rou is sweet and warm, easily generating Dampness and assisting Fire. People with Dampness blocking the middle burner (symptoms like bloating, heavy limbs, thick greasy tongue coating) should avoid it, as it may worsen congestion.

Caution

Phlegm-Fire or internal Heat: Those with Phlegm-Fire (signs like profuse yellow phlegm, irritability, red tongue with yellow coating) or Yin deficiency with internal Heat (night sweats, five-palm heat, dry mouth) should avoid Long Yan Rou, as its warm, sweet nature can intensify Heat and consume Yin fluids.

Caution

Exterior pathogenic conditions (colds and flu): During the early stages of Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat invasion, or during febrile (warm) diseases, Long Yan Rou's cloying, tonifying nature can trap the pathogen inside and prevent it from being released outward.

Caution

Indigestion with nausea and vomiting: People experiencing poor digestion, food stagnation, nausea, or vomiting should not take Long Yan Rou, as its rich, sweet nature can overload an already sluggish digestive system.

Caution

Diabetes or high blood sugar: Long Yan Rou has very high sugar content (particularly glucose). People with diabetes or impaired blood sugar control should use it sparingly or avoid it, as it may cause blood sugar spikes.

Caution

Skin inflammation, oral ulcers, or sore throat with active Heat signs: Taking this warming, sweet herb during active inflammatory flare-ups can aggravate symptoms such as acne, mouth sores, or throat pain.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Long Yan Rou's warm nature can generate internal Heat, which in TCM theory may disturb the fetus and potentially contribute to fetal restlessness or premature contractions. Multiple Chinese medical sources specifically advise pregnant women to avoid longan, particularly in early pregnancy, due to the risk of uterine stimulation. In the later stages of pregnancy, occasional small amounts are less concerning but should still be used judiciously. There are no modern reports of teratogenicity, but the traditional caution is well established.

Breastfeeding

Generally considered safe during breastfeeding at standard doses. Long Yan Rou has traditionally been recommended as a postpartum recovery food to help restore Qi and Blood after childbirth. It may support milk production through its Blood-nourishing properties. However, its warm nature means excessive amounts could pass Heat to the infant through breast milk, potentially causing fussiness or signs of Heat in the baby (such as skin rashes). Moderate use as food or in herbal formulas is appropriate.

Children

Long Yan Rou is warm and sweet, and children's digestive systems are relatively delicate. Children should consume only small amounts. In TCM, children are considered to have immature organ systems that tend toward Heat accumulation easily. Excessive intake of Long Yan Rou in children can cause internal Heat buildup leading to sore throats, mouth ulcers, nosebleeds, or constipation. For children over age 3, a reduced dose of approximately one-third to one-half the adult dose is generally acceptable when used in formulas for short periods. It is best used in food-therapy preparations (porridge, soup) rather than concentrated decoctions for young children.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Long Yan Rou

No serious drug interactions have been documented in clinical literature. However, due to its high sugar content (particularly glucose), Long Yan Rou may theoretically affect blood sugar levels. People taking hypoglycemic medications (oral diabetes drugs or insulin) should monitor blood sugar when consuming significant amounts of longan, as the added sugar load could counteract the medication's effect.

There is no established interaction with anticoagulants, sedatives, or other common drug classes. As a general precaution, because longan has mild sedative and calming properties (likely due to its adenosine content), combining it with sedative or anxiolytic medications could theoretically have an additive calming effect, though this has not been clinically documented as problematic.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Long Yan Rou

Avoid excessive greasy, fried, or rich foods while taking Long Yan Rou, as these can compound its tendency to generate Dampness and Heat. People with a tendency toward Dampness or Phlegm should pair longan with light, easy-to-digest foods such as congee, millet porridge, or clear soups. Cold and raw foods are acceptable unless the person has significant Spleen deficiency. Drinking plenty of water can help offset the drying effect of its high sugar content. Longan pairs well in food therapy with red dates, lotus seeds, and fox nuts for Heart and Spleen nourishment.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Long Yan Rou source plant

Dimocarpus longan Lour. is a handsome, fast-growing evergreen tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), closely related to lychee and rambutan. It typically grows 9 to 14 metres tall but can reach 25 metres or more in the wild, with a broad, densely foliaged crown of spreading, slightly drooping branches. The trunk is rough-barked and can reach up to 1 metre in diameter.

The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, with 4 to 10 opposite, leathery leaflets that are elliptic to oblong, glossy green above and greyish-green beneath. New growth flushes an attractive wine-red colour. The tree produces light-yellow, inconspicuous flowers on large terminal panicles 10 to 46 cm long, each flower bearing 5 to 6 sepals, brownish-yellow petals, and 8 stamens. Flowering occurs in spring (March to April in China), with fruit ripening in late summer (July to October).

The fruits are spherical, about 1.2 to 2.5 cm in diameter, hanging in drooping clusters. Each fruit has a thin, tan, leathery shell. Inside, the translucent, juicy aril (the medicinal part, Long Yan Rou) surrounds a single large, round, glossy black seed with a distinctive white spot at the base, giving it the appearance of a dragon's eye. The flesh is sweet and musky, less tart than lychee.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Long Yan Rou is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to autumn (July to October), when the fruits are fully ripe. Ripe fruits are collected, shelled, pitted, and the aril is sun-dried or oven-dried until dry and no longer sticky.

Primary growing regions

Fujian province is traditionally regarded as producing the highest quality medicinal Long Yan Rou (dao di yao cai), especially the famous Putian and Quanzhou varieties. Guangxi is the largest producer by volume and Long Yan Rou is listed among Guangxi's "Ten Signature Herbs" (桂十味). Guangdong (particularly Gaozhou in Maoming) is renowned for the Chuliang (储良) cultivar. Taiwan, Hainan, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou also produce longan on a smaller scale. Internationally, Thailand and Vietnam are major producers.

Quality indicators

High-quality Long Yan Rou pieces should be large, thick, soft and moist in texture (not hard or dry). The color should be a warm yellowish-brown to amber, with good translucency (semi-transparent when held to light). One surface (outer, near the shell) should appear wrinkled and rough, while the other surface (inner, where it contacted the seed) should be smooth and glossy with fine vertical striations. The aroma should be subtly fragrant and pleasant. The taste should be intensely sweet and rich, with no sour, fermented, or smoky off-flavors. Avoid pieces that are very dark brown or blackened, overly sticky and clumped together (may indicate added sugar), or that have a sour or fermented smell (indicating poor drying or spoilage). Watch for insect damage, as the high sugar content makes it prone to infestation.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Long Yan Rou and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Original: 主五脏邪气，安志、厌食，久服强魂魄，聪明。

Translation: "Governs pathogenic influences of the five Zang organs, calms the mind, resolves aversion to food. Long-term use strengthens the ethereal and corporeal souls, and sharpens the intellect."

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Li Shizhen)

Original: 食品以荔枝为贵，而资益则龙眼为良，盖荔枝性热，而龙眼性和平也。

Translation: "Among fruits, lychee is considered the most prized, but for nourishing benefit, longan is superior. This is because lychee is hot in nature, while longan is mild and balanced."

Yao Pin Hua Yi (《药品化义》)

Original: 桂圆，大补阴血，凡上部失血之后，入归脾汤同莲肉、芡实以补脾阴，使脾旺统血归经。如神思劳倦，心经血少，以此助生地、麦冬补养心血。又筋骨过劳，肝脏空虚，以此佐熟地、当归，滋补肝血。

Translation: "Longan greatly tonifies Yin and Blood. After bleeding from the upper body, it enters Gui Pi Tang together with lotus seed and fox nut to tonify Spleen Yin, enabling the Spleen to govern Blood and return it to its channels. When the mind is exhausted and Heart Blood is scanty, it assists Sheng Di Huang and Mai Dong to nourish Heart Blood. When sinews and bones are overtaxed and the Liver is depleted, it supports Shu Di Huang and Dang Gui to replenish Liver Blood."

Ben Cao Qiu Zhen (《本草求真》)

Original: 龙眼气味甘温...于补气之中，又更存有补血之力，故书载能益脾长智，养心保血，为心脾要药。

Translation: "Longan is sweet and warm in nature. Within its Qi-tonifying action, it also holds the power to nourish Blood. Therefore the texts record that it can benefit the Spleen and enhance wisdom, nourish the Heart and safeguard Blood. It is a key herb for Heart and Spleen."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Long Yan Rou's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Long Yan Rou has been used medicinally in China since at least the Han Dynasty (around 200 BCE). According to historical records, the Han emperor attempted to transplant longan and lychee trees to his palace gardens in Shaanxi, but they failed to survive the cooler climate. Longan cultivation later flourished in the warmer provinces of Fujian and Guangdong, becoming a major industry. The herb was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, China's oldest materia medica, where it was called "Yi Zhi" (益智, "benefit wisdom"), reflecting its classical reputation for sharpening the mind.

The name "Long Yan" (龙眼, dragon's eye) derives from the fruit's appearance: when shelled, the translucent flesh with the dark round seed showing through resembles an eyeball. The alternative name "Gui Yuan" (桂圆) became common later, referencing the Guangxi (桂) region where it was widely grown. Li Shizhen praised it in the Ben Cao Gang Mu, declaring it superior to lychee for nourishing the body. The Song Dynasty physician Yan Yonghe (严用和) made it a key herb in his famous Gui Pi Tang (归脾汤, Spleen-Restoring Decoction), a formula still widely used today. The Qing Dynasty physician Wang Mengying created Yu Ling Gao (玉灵膏), a steamed paste of longan and sugar, which he claimed could rival ginseng for tonifying Qi and Blood.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Long Yan Rou

1

Structure and Antitumor and Immunomodulatory Activities of a Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Dimocarpus longan Pulp (Preclinical, 2014)

Meng FY, Ning YL, Qi J, He Z, Jie J, Lin JJ, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2014, 15(3), 5140-5162.

A polysaccharide (LP1) was isolated from longan pulp and tested for biological activity. In lab experiments, LP1 showed significant inhibition of ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and HO8910), with over 50% inhibition for HO8910 cells. It also stimulated immune cell proliferation and macrophage function, suggesting longan polysaccharides may support immune function.

2

Immunomodulatory Activity of Polysaccharide-Protein Complex of Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) Pulp (Preclinical, 2011)

Yi Y, Zhang MW, Liao ST, Zhang RF, Deng YY, Wei ZC, et al. Molecules, 2011, 16(12), 10324-10336.

A polysaccharide-protein complex (LP3) from longan pulp was tested in immunosuppressed mice. Oral administration at 100 mg/kg/day significantly enhanced antibody production, macrophage phagocytosis, NK cell activity against lymphoma cells, and cytokine secretion (IFN-gamma, IL-2), performing comparably to ganoderan (a Ganoderma polysaccharide). This supports the traditional use of longan for tonifying Qi and Blood in weakened conditions.

3

A Novel Polysaccharide Isolated From Fresh Longan Activates Macrophage via TLR2/4-Mediated PI3/AKT and MyD88/TRAF6 Pathways (Preclinical, 2022)

Rong Y, Yang R, Yang Y, Wen Y, Liu S, Li C, et al. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022, 12, 786127.

A newly isolated longan polysaccharide (LP4) was found to enhance macrophage phagocytosis and promote lymphocyte proliferation. It significantly increased production of inflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha through TLR2 and TLR4 receptor pathways. The study helps explain the molecular mechanisms behind longan's traditional immune-supporting properties.

4

The Memory-Enhancing Effects of Euphoria longan Fruit Extract in Mice (Preclinical, 2010)

Park SJ, Park DH, Kim DH, Lee S, Yoon BH, Jung WY, Lee KT, Cheong JH, Ryu JH. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010, 128, 160-165.

Longan fruit extract was tested for cognitive effects in mice using memory-task models. The extract showed significant memory-enhancing effects, supporting the classical indication of longan for treating forgetfulness and benefiting intelligence.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.