Longan (龙眼), often called the “jewel among fruits,” has captivated the hearts and taste buds of people in China for over two thousand years. With a rich history and a revered status in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), longan offers more than just a sweet flavor—it embodies a treasure trove of cultural significance and health benefits.
A Symbol of Joy: The Tale of Lin Yutang (林语堂) and Longan Tea
Longan's role in cultural traditions and daily life runs deep. One charming story features the renowned Chinese scholar and writer Lin Yutang. When Lin married Liao Cuifeng (廖翠凤), the daughter of a wealthy Xiamen businessman, he followed the local custom of drinking a bowl of longan tea served by the bride. This ritual symbolized auspicious blessings for the newlyweds. While most grooms would sip the tea politely, Lin Yutang drank the entire bowl with gusto and even devoured the longan fruit, savoring every morsel. His enthusiasm wasn’t surprising—longan is not only delicious but also believed to soothe the heart and calm the spirit, an ideal remedy for an intellectual like Lin, often immersed in strenuous writing and deep contemplation.
Longan in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In TCM, the gentle yet powerful properties of longan have earned it a prominent place in classic formulas. One notable example is Guipi Soup (归脾汤), a famous remedy used to treat symptoms of heart and spleen deficiency, such as insomnia, forgetfulness, heart palpitations, and fatigue. Longan fruit, known as longan meat when dried, forms a key ingredient in this soothing herbal mix.
Fresh longan flesh glistens with a translucent, pearly whiteness and tastes delectably sweet. When dried, it transforms into a reddish-brown hue. According to TCM, dried longan meat nourishes the heart blood and supports the spleen and stomach. It isn’t classified as a potent tonic, making it a milder but widely used ingredient in daily health practices, especially for those with weaker digestive systems.
Longan goes by various names, including "Gui Yuan" (桂圆). The name Gui Yuan, or "osmanthus round," originates from ancient Chinese calendars. The eighth lunar month is known as the “osmanthus month,” as the fragrant osmanthus blooms during this time, coinciding with the peak season for longan. Its round, jewel-like appearance adds to its poetic name.
The Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic (神农本草经), an ancient herbal classic, praises longan meat for “calming the spirit, improving appetite, and strengthening the soul.” Modern TCM still values longan for its ability to nourish the heart and spleen, enhance memory, and promote restful sleep. Folk traditions frequently use longan for its blood-nourishing properties, especially to alleviate insomnia and palpitations caused by blood deficiency. Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), a classic Chinese novel, even mentions longan soup being served to the restless and melancholic character, Jia Baoyu (贾宝玉), as a calming tonic.
How Worry Drains Our Vitality and How Longan Helps
TCM has long recognized the impact of emotions on physical health. Overthinking and excessive worry, according to TCM wisdom, can weaken the spleen. This is because the spleen’s energy relies on harmonious movement, and when the mind is entangled in endless thoughts or anxiety, the body’s energy flow stagnates. This disruption often manifests as poor appetite or digestive troubles, common complaints among those burdened with stress.
Additionally, TCM holds that chronic worry silently drains the heart’s blood. On one hand, stress reduces appetite, lowering the body's nutritional intake and diminishing the supply of energy and blood. On the other, intense mental activity depletes the “heart blood,” which the heart needs to sustain emotional stability. As a result, people prone to overthinking or stress are likely to experience heart-related symptoms like insomnia and nervousness. In these situations, eating a handful of dried longan meat offers a simple, natural remedy to replenish energy and soothe the spirit.
