Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Arillus Longan |
|---|
| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 龍眼肉 · Long Yan Rou |
|---|
| Medicinal Part | Fruits and seeds |
|---|
| Efficacy Category | Tonifying |
|---|
| Botanical Origin | The dried aril of Dimocarpus longan Lour.( Sapindaceae) |
|---|
| Nature & Flavour | Sweet; Warm |
|---|
| Channels Entered | Heart, Spleen |
|---|
What Is Long Yan Rou?
Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet; Warm
Channels Entered: Heart, Spleen
Long Yan Rou: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Arillus Longan
Botanical Origin
The dried aril of Dimocarpus longan Lour.( Sapindaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has large piece, thick flesh, soft texture, brownish-yellow color.
Macroscopic Features
Longitudinally split into irregular thin pieces, often has several pieces adhered together, 1.5cm long, 2~4cm wide, 0.1cm thick. Brown, translucent, outer surface is wrinkled and uneven, inner surface is lustrous and with thin longitudinal wrinkles. Soft and moist texture, faintly aromatic odor, sweet taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet; WarmHeartSpleen
Traditional Functions
Supplements heart and spleen, nourishes blood, calms spirit. Apply to deficiency of qi and blood, palpitation and convulsion, amnesia and insomnia, yellow skin due to blood deficiency.
Classical Formulas Containing Long Yan Rou
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Long Yan Rou? Are Da Zao, Suan Zao Ren and Yi Zhi Ren the same?
Official Long Yan Rou (龙眼肉) is the dried aril of Dimocarpus longan. The pharmacopoeial name is Longan Arillus; it is also called dried longan flesh. The old alias “yi zhi” is not pharmacopoeial Yi Zhi Ren. Da Zao is sweet-warm: supplements the center, boosts qi, nourishes Blood and calms the spirit. Suan Zao Ren is sweet-sour and neutral: nourishes the Heart, supplements the Liver, calms the spirit, constrains sweat and generates fluid, and must be crushed. Yi Zhi Ren is acrid-warm: warms the Kidney, secures essence, reduces urine, warms the Spleen, stops diarrhea and contains saliva. Write Long Yan Rou. Use caution in phlegm-fire and damp stagnation.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Long Yan Rou?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Long Yan Rou is sweet and warm, enters the Heart and Spleen channels, and acts to supplement the Heart and Spleen, nourish Blood and calm the spirit. It is used for qi and Blood insufficiency, palpitations, forgetfulness and insomnia, and sallow complexion from Blood vacuity. Sweet and warm, it suits Heart-Spleen dual vacuity—not internal phlegm-fire, damp stagnation with fullness, or yin-vacuity fire.
Does Long Yan Rou need special processing? Can Da Zao replace it?
Harvest when the fruit is ripe in summer and autumn, dry, remove the shell and seed, and sun-dry until it is no longer sticky. Jujube leans to supplementing the center and boosting qi; it cannot replace supplementing the Heart and Spleen and nourishing Blood to calm the spirit by equal weight. Fresh longan is not equal-weight dried pieces. Commercial longan tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Long Yan Rou
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Long Yan Rou.
Read the Long Yan Rou Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
