On this page
Key Facts
- Material
- Fruit aril
- Botanical source
- Longan Arillus
- Direct human evidence
- No verified study currently linked
What Is Long Yan Rou?
Long Yan Rou (Longan Arillus), known in Chinese as 龙眼肉 is the fruit aril of Longan Arillus (Sapindaceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal material with documented use in classical TCM texts. In the traditional TCM framework, it is classified as warm in nature and sweet in flavor.
Tonifies Heart and Spleen Blood, nourishes the Blood, calms the Shen. Key herb in Gui Pi Tang.[1]
Botanical description: Dimocarpus longan Lour. (Sapindaceae). The aril (fruit flesh) is translucent white to brownish, sweet, and fleshy. Dried aril is dark brown, wrinkled, and has a honey-like sweetness.
Traditional TCM Context
Traditional functions: Tonifies Heart and Spleen Blood, nourishes the Blood, calms the Shen. Key herb in Gui Pi Tang.[1]
Traditional uses: Used for insomnia due to Heart and Spleen Deficiency with fatigue, poor appetite, forgetfulness, and palpitations. Also used as a general blood tonic for postpartum or post-illness recovery.
Related TCM patterns
This description reflects traditional TCM theory and is not a modern medical diagnosis or treatment claim.
What Research Applies to Long Yan Rou?
Longan aril polysaccharides and polyphenols demonstrate antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies. Clinical research specific to Long Yan Rou is limited. Most neuropharmacological data come from longan fruit extracts rather than the medicinal aril.
| Research scope | Material studied | What it covers | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
Direct Long Yan Rou | Longan Arillus | No verified study linked | No verified direct human clinical studies are currently linked. |
Extract / derivative | Standardized extracts, isolated compounds | Bioactivity of concentrated or isolated compounds | Extracts and isolated compounds may not represent the whole herbal material. |
Formula-level | Complete formulas containing Long Yan Rou | 1 formula study | Formula results cannot be attributed to a single ingredient. |
Preclinical | Animal models, in vitro assays | No preclinical study linked | Animal and in vitro results do not confirm human efficacy. |
Important: Research involving extracts, isolated compounds, or formulas containing Long Yan Rou may not apply directly to Long Yan Rou as a whole TCM medicinal material. Different product forms (raw herb, extract, powder, oil) may have distinct chemical profiles.
Formula-level research
- Efficacy and safety of Kami Guibi-tang in older adults with insomnia: a randomized controlled trialBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2026
Safety Information
Safety Summary
What is known
Long Yan Rou is traditionally regarded as a gentle and safe food-grade TCM material. It is commonly consumed as a dried fruit in dietary contexts with few reported adverse effects. No herb-specific clinical safety studies (adverse events, toxicity, long-term use) are available for review. Due to its natural sugar content, individuals monitoring blood glucose should be aware of its caloric contribution when consumed in large quantities.
Special populations
- Pregnancy: No herb-specific assessment in this library
- Breastfeeding: No herb-specific assessment in this library
- Children: No herb-specific assessment in this library
- Drug interactions: No herb-specific assessment in this library
What remains uncertain
- Herb-specific clinical safety data (adverse events, toxicity, long-term use) are not available for review.
- Drug-herb interaction data specific to Long Yan Rou may be lacking; most published interaction studies use extracts or isolated compounds.
Who should seek professional guidance
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those taking prescription medications, people managing chronic conditions, and anyone considering herbal products for children should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using Long Yan Rou or any herbal product.
Platform safety boundary
TCMIO provides educational information only — not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. We do not provide dosage guidance, administration instructions, or individualized treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal product.
Safety during pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use has not been systematically evaluated for Long Yan Rou as a medicinal material. For urgent or severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Sources Used on This Page(2)
- 1.
Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 Edition), Volume I. Beijing: China Medical Science Press; 2020.
Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020Bibliographic details
Supports: Botanical Identity, Traditional TCM Context, Traditional Functions
Reliability: High
Source type: Government Source
- 2.
Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 Edition, Volume I. Beijing: China Medical Science Press; 2020. Monograph: Longan Arillus (Long Yan Rou).
Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020Bibliographic details
Reliability: gold
Last checked: July 2026
Source type: pharmacopoeia
Medical Disclaimer: The information on TCMIO is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal products, starting any new treatment, or making changes to your existing healthcare regimen. Do not stop or modify any prescribed treatment without consulting your healthcare provider.
If you are experiencing severe or urgent symptoms, seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services or visiting the nearest emergency department.