Longan, also known as dragon's eye, is a fruit that can be eaten fresh or processed into dried products. Its flesh, kernel, peel, and roots can all be used for medicinal purposes, making it a fruit that is both edible and medicinal. In autumn and winter, many women tend to experience symptoms such as cold hands and feet and a pale complexion due to poor blood circulation in their limbs. At this time, eating longan can effectively replenish qi and blood, promote blood circulation, and improve the coldness in hands and feet.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that longan can nourish the heart and spleen, benefit qi and blood, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and nourish the muscles. It can be used as an auxiliary treatment for conditions such as spleen injury from overthinking, dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, post-illness or postpartum weakness, and bleeding disorders caused by spleen deficiency. Li Shizhen said: "Longan is a great tonic," and "Longan is the best for nourishment." Fresh longan has the effects of stimulating the appetite, strengthening the spleen, and replenishing to calm the spirit. Its processed products are ideal supplements for treating post-illness weakness, anemia and sallow complexion, neurasthenia, and postpartum blood deficiency. In folk medicine, dried longan is often decocted with Codonopsis pilosula to treat qi and blood deficiency. Postpartum women can take this decoction to replenish qi and blood and restore their vitality. The elderly, weak, and sick often take this soup in winter to replenish qi and blood and resist cold wind. Longan flesh is also often decocted with red-skinned peanuts to treat anemia and physical weakness. It is very suitable for people with neurasthenia, forgetfulness, and poor memory. It also has an auxiliary therapeutic effect for patients with anemia caused by insufficient qi and blood in old age, postpartum weakness and fatigue in women, and malnutrition.
Red Date, Longan, and Goji Berry Brown Sugar Water
Nutritionists have found that longan is rich in glucose, sucrose, and protein, and has a relatively high iron content. It can increase heat energy, supplement nutrients, and promote the regeneration of hemoglobin, thereby achieving a blood-nourishing effect. Research has found that in addition to its overall tonic effect, longan flesh is particularly effective for brain cells, enhancing memory and eliminating fatigue.
However, longan is considered a "damp-heat" food. Overconsumption can easily lead to qi stagnation, and it should not be eaten when experiencing symptoms of "heatiness" and inflammation. It is contraindicated for those with phlegm-fire, yin-deficiency fire flourishing, or dampness retention and fluid stagnation. It should also be avoided when the tongue coating is thick and greasy, there is qi stagnation and abdominal fullness, loose stools, wind-cold cold, or indigestion. Dried longan has a high natural sugar content, so it is contraindicated for diabetics. It is also contraindicated for those suffering from acne, surgical carbuncles and sores, pelvic inflammatory disease in women, urethritis, or excessive menstrual bleeding.
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