Lóng Yǎn Ròu (龙眼肉), known in English as Longan fruit flesh (Dimocarpus longan), is a warm, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify blood category. It enters the Heart and Spleen channels. Its main action: nourishes Heart Blood and Spleen qi, calms Shen.
| Pinyin | Lóng Yǎn Ròu (Long Yan Rou) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 龙眼肉 |
| English | Longan fruit flesh |
| Botanical name | Dimocarpus longan |
| Category | Tonify blood |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Heart, Spleen |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Phlegm-Damp; Heat patterns; do not use in acute exterior illness |
Actions
- Nourishes Heart Blood and Spleen qi, calms Shen
Indications
- Heart and Spleen deficiency: palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, poor appetite
How to remember Lóng Yǎn Ròu
Tonify blood herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Liver, Spleen, Heart and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Sweet: like most Tonify blood herbs
- Heart and Spleen channels: from its action “Nourishes Heart Blood and Spleen qi”
Formulas containing Lóng Yǎn Ròu
Other Tonify blood herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Lóng Yǎn Ròu?
Lóng Yǎn Ròu is warm and sweet.
Which channels does Lóng Yǎn Ròu enter?
Lóng Yǎn Ròu enters the Heart and Spleen channels.
What are the actions of Lóng Yǎn Ròu?
Nourishes Heart Blood and Spleen qi, calms Shen.
What is Lóng Yǎn Ròu used for?
Heart and Spleen deficiency: palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, fatigue, poor appetite.
Which formulas contain Lóng Yǎn Ròu?
Guī Pí Tāng.
Practise Lóng Yǎn Ròu and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.