Description
Longan Fruit
Euphoria Longan
Long Yan Rou / “Dragon Eye Fruit”
Potent in Science and Lore
Longan is very unique in that it is both beneficial enough to be considered a tonic herb, and tasty enough to be a considered as a snack for it’s taste alone. The combination of these qualities reinforce each other as it’s enjoyable to consume both for it’s taste and potential benefits.
One scientific name for the plant is “Euphoria Longan.” The “euphoria” component of that name is accurate, as the herb is often described as being good for the mind and for helping individuals to have a sense of happiness and well being. Traditionally it is regarded as an excellent “Shen” tonic which refers to ones spirit and mental state.
Modern research also supports the notion that Longan is good for the mind. In one study it demonstrated a capacity to improve learning and memory in mice. Another study showed that the polysaccharides in longan are nueroprotective and helped reduce oxidative stress after a brain injury. Clearly there’s more to this herb than just its lore.
In addition to its classification as a Shen tonic, Longan is classically regarded as an excellent herb for women’s beauty and sexual health (it’s excellent for men as well). Longan has an usually high level of Iron, with some figures putting it at 1.5mg of iron per ounce. This makes it an excellent food to help supplement your iron intake.
Longan is also considered to be great for the spleen and heart. It is said to help with warming and bringing blood to the hands and feet and adding brightness to the skin and eyes.
Sugar/Preservative Free
Much of the longan available today has sugar or corn syrup added to it to enhance sweetness, or uses sulphites or other preservatives to increase shelf life. Our Longan contains none of those and is just pure, naturally dried Longan fruit.
In this form it has a delicious flavor, all of the health benefits, and the only downside is that you’ll want to keep going back for another handful. And with all of those benefits, that might not be such a bad thing!
How To Use
Longan can be combined with other tonic herbs when boiling them to make an herbal brew. It can combine with other blood tonics for a blood building formula, or with Shen tonics to enhance it’s spirit cleansing properties. It can also be added to most brews simply for the purpose of sweetening the blend and improving the taste.
Perhaps the best way to consume Longan is to grab a handful and eat it as a snack.
It’s truly a delicious fruit with some serious potential health benefits.
