Herb

Long Yan Rou

Longan | 龙眼肉/桂圆

Also known as:

Long Yan , Gui Yuan , Long Gan

Long Yan Rou

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Properties

Blood-tonifying herbs (补血药) · Warm

Traditionally supports*

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

Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

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.

Herb Category

Blood-tonifying herbs (补血药)

Main Actions

  • 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 that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Long Yan Rou is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

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

TCM Properties

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels Entered
Heart Spleen
Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

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Botanical & Sourcing

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.

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.

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.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

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Miscellaneous Info

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Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

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Instructions for safe storage and consumption

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Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

9-15g

Maximum

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.

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.

Toxicity Classification

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

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

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.

Pediatric Use

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

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

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.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this herb is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.