Natural Herb Library

Longan Aril

Chinese
龙眼肉
Pinyin
Long Yan Rou
Latin
Arillus Longan
Botanical illustration of Longan Aril, Dimocarpus longan, showing fruit, translucent aril, dried Long Yan Rou flesh, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Long Yan Rou (龙眼肉), this sweet, warm herb enters the Heart and Spleen. Traditionally, it tonifies the Heart and Spleen and nourishes Blood; calms the Spirit for palpitations, insomnia, and poor memory from Heart-Spleen Blood deficiency, most often applied for insomnia, palpitations, and blood deficiency. Modern research has identified Polysaccharides among its active constituents.

Part used: Aril

Also Known As

Dimocarpus longan Euphoria longan Longan Fruit Flesh Longan

Latin: Arillus Longan | Pinyin: Long Yan Rou | Chinese: 龙眼肉

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
warm
Channels
Heart, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Tonifies the Heart and Spleen and nourishes Blood; calms the Spirit for palpitations, insomnia, and poor memory from Heart-Spleen Blood deficiency
  • Nourishes Blood in cases of Blood deficiency with dizziness and pallor

Secondary Actions

  • Used as a food-medicine tonic for postpartum recovery and general debility

Classic Formulas

  • Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction)

Classical References

  • Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, c. 200 CE) lists Long Yan Rou among the upper-class tonics for calming the spirit and benefiting intelligence
  • Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen, 1578) notes its use for strengthening the Spleen and nourishing Blood

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Polysaccharides
  • Polyphenols (gallic acid, corilagin, ellagic acid)
  • Flavonoids

Studied Effects

  • Antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity
  • Immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects
  • Investigated for cognitive-protective and sleep-supportive potential in cell and animal models

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Damp-Heat or Phlegm-Fire patterns with a thick, greasy tongue coating
  • Qi stagnation with abdominal distension

Cautions

  • Sweet and warming; excessive intake may generate internal Heat or Dampness

Classic formulas that use Longan Aril

Herbs are rarely taken alone in Chinese medicine. These formula pages show what this herb does inside a classic prescription and which pattern that prescription is chosen for.

Added for a specific picture Ba Zhen Tang 八珍汤 Eight-Treasure Decoction The four qi herbs and the four blood herbs in one formula. For the person who is both weak and pale: tired, short of breath, dizzy, a sallow face, palpitations, poor appetite, and in women a light or late cycle. The standard rebuilding formula after illness, blood loss, surgery, or childbirth. Deputy herb Gui Pi Tang 归脾汤 Restore the Spleen Decoction The formula for Heart and Spleen deficiency: tired, worried, sleeping badly, forgetful, with a poor appetite and anything that bleeds oozing pale and slow. It feeds the kitchen and the lamp at the same time, building the blood the Heart needs to settle at night. Added for a specific picture Shi Quan Da Bu Tang 十全大补汤 All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction Ba Zhen Tang plus astragalus and cinnamon. For deep qi and blood deficiency with cold: exhausted, pale, cold hands and feet, sweating on effort, dizzy, with sores or wounds that will not heal and a long recovery after illness or treatment. The strongest general tonic in the family.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Longan Aril used for?

Longan Aril is traditionally used to Tonifies the Heart and Spleen and nourishes Blood; calms the Spirit for palpitations, insomnia, and poor memory from Heart-Spleen Blood deficiency, Nourishes Blood in cases of Blood deficiency with dizziness and pallor. Research has investigated its effects on: Antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity; Immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

What are other names for Longan Aril?

Longan Aril is also known as Dimocarpus longan, Euphoria longan, Longan Fruit Flesh, Longan. In TCM: 龙眼肉 (Long Yan Rou); Arillus Longan.

Is Longan Aril safe during pregnancy?

Longan Aril is generally considered safe during pregnancy in normal amounts. Therapeutic or concentrated doses should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Longan Aril?

Longan Aril should not be used in: Damp-Heat or Phlegm-Fire patterns with a thick, greasy tongue coating; Qi stagnation with abdominal distension. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.