Latin name: Dimocarpus longan
Chinese name: long yan rou
What is Longan?
Longan is a species of a fruit-bearing tree native to Southern China and also distributed in Southeast Asia. The fruit of this tree is similar to lychees, and is often used in East Asian cuisine. The dried fruits are used as well, and are thought to promote relaxation.
What are the health benefits of Longan?
Longan is known for its sedative qualities, among other medicinal actions. It is used to calm the spirit, alleviate insomnia, calm irritability, and reduce palpitations. It is also used to tonify the heart and spleen, nourish the blood, and treat chronic fatigue syndrome, jet lag, poor memory, and vertigo. The root of the tree is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, the leaves are used to treat influenza, and the seeds are used to treat stomachache.
Where can I find Longan?
Longan can be found online, at Asian markets, in herbal specialty shops, and at the offices of Chinese medical practitioners.
You can find this herb combined with other herbs in the Traditions of Tao formula:
Abundant Energy, which stimulates digestion, improving nutrient absorption and encouraging physical vitality.
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