Longan | A Hero Ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Longan (Gui Yuan Rou)
In TCM, Longan (龙眼 *lóng yǎn), known as Gui Yuan Rou (桂圆肉), refers to the dried flesh of the longan fruit. Native to Southern China and a relative of the lychee, this golden fruit has been used for centuries to support emotional balance, replenish energy, and nourish the body from within.
It is considered sweet and warm in nature, and primarily enters the Heart and Spleen meridians. This makes it especially beneficial for those experiencing fatigue, poor memory, restlessness, or insomnia due to blood deficiency—a common pattern seen in postpartum individuals or those recovering from illness.
Why It Matters in Postpartum Care?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, childbirth is believed to leave the body in a state of blood and qi deficiency, making nourishment essential for recovery. Longan is a gentle yet powerful blood tonic that supports both physical healing and emotional well-being.
Its ability to nourish Heart and Spleen blood, calm the spirit (Shen), and support sleep makes it especially valuable during the postpartum period—when women may experience fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, and low mood.
Longan is often used in confinement soups, tonics, and teas, paired with red dates and goji berries to restore balance, support lactation, and promote a sense of calm and groundedness in the early weeks after birth.
Always consult a qualified TCM practitioner when using herbal remedies during pregnancy or postpartum.
Health Benefits of Longan
1. Nourishes Heart Blood
Longan is a gentle yet effective blood tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine, known for replenishing Heart Blood, a key substance that supports mental clarity, emotional steadiness, and restful sleep. When the Heart is blood-deficient, it can lead to anxiety, poor memory, or insomnia. By nourishing the Heart, Longan helps regulate emotions and calm the mind, making it especially helpful for those feeling emotionally depleted or mentally scattered.
2. Tonifies the Spleen and Supports Qi
In TCM, the Spleen is responsible for turning food into energy and blood. Longan supports this process by gently strengthening the Spleen, helping improve digestion and energy, especially for those feeling tired, weak, or recovering from illness or birth. A strong Spleen is essential in postpartum care to restore strength, regulate appetite, and support healing.
3. Calms the Shen (Spirit)
One of Longan’s most valued qualities is its ability to calm the Shen, the spirit or emotional center housed in the Heart. When Heart Blood is low, the Shen becomes unsettled, leading to symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, and trouble sleeping. By nourishing the Heart and calming the Shen, Longan provides gentle emotional support during sensitive times such as pregnancy or postpartum.
4. Supports Postpartum Recovery
Longan is a traditional ingredient in postpartum confinement foods, often simmered in teas and soups alongside red dates and goji berries. It helps replenish Blood and Qi after childbirth, calm emotions, and support physical healing. Its sweet, warming nature makes it ideal for helping mothers feel nourished, balanced, and emotionally grounded during the early weeks after birth.
5. Improves Sleep Quality
Used in classical formulas, Longan has natural calming properties that promote deeper, more restful sleep. It nourishes the Heart and calms the nervous system, making it a valuable herb for those experiencing stress, hormonal shifts, or poor sleep, especially in early motherhood when rest is often disrupted.
6. Boosts Cognitive Function and Memory
Both TCM and modern research support Longan’s use in enhancing memory and mental clarity. By nourishing Heart Blood, Longan helps sharpen focus and lift mental fog, a common concern for new mothers or anyone under emotional or physical stress. It supports the mind and memory while also offering emotional nourishment.
OUR PRODUCTS FEATURING LONGAN TO SUPPORT YOUR POSTPARTUM AND BEYOND
Hydrating Snow Fungus Dessert: This gentle, skin-loving dessert blend includes Longan to warm the body, restore blood, and help you feel calm and well-rested. It pairs with snow fungus and other nourishing herbs to support hydration, healing, and emotional wellbeing—ideal during pregnancy or postpartum recovery.
Red Dates Tea: In this warming and nourishing tea, Longan works together with red and black dates to support blood health, improve energy, and bring a sense of calm. It’s especially helpful after menstruation, childbirth, or when you’re feeling tired or run down. Longan helps calm the mind and gently recharge the body.
Mama Nurture Herbal Blend: This soup is made to support recovery and milk supply after birth. Longan is included to help rebuild strength, nourish the blood, and keep the mind calm. It works with other herbs to help new mothers feel more emotionally balanced and supported during the early weeks of postpartum.
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As we step into August, we honour the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which teaches us that this time of year is more than just a shift in season. It is an opportunity to slow down, to listen inward, and to care for the body and spirit in gentle, meaningful ways. Just as nature begins to prepare for the cooler months ahead, we too are invited to restore balance, rebuild warmth, and gather strength from within.
At the heart of our August offerings is Longan, also known as Gui Yuan Rou. This small but mighty fruit has been used for centuries in TCM to nourish the Heart, build Blood, calm the spirit, and gently support the body’s recovery from fatigue, stress, or emotional strain. In times of transition, Longan reminds us to return to what is essential, to hold space for rest, and to honour the quiet work of healing.
Whether enjoyed in a warming tea, a soothing soup, or a nourishing dessert, Longan brings a soft sweetness that supports emotional balance, deeper sleep, and a grounded sense of wellbeing. It offers comfort without force and energy without urgency, meeting you wherever you are.
In the quiet moments of this month, may each cup or spoonful bring steadiness to your thoughts, warmth to your body, and calm to your heart. Let this be a time to replenish gently, to tend to your needs with care, and to feel supported in all the ways that matter.
To everyone moving gently through August, may you feel held, nourished, and restored. It is our honour to walk alongside you.
References:
https://www.tianweisignature.com/blog/why-do-mothers-drink-confinement-red-date-tea/
https://www.healthlaborganics.com/post/gui-pi-tang
https://elan.house/pages/spleen-stomach-support-soup-preparation-and-cooking-instructions
https://chenmommykitchen.com/effects-of-foods-and-herbs-used-in-chinese-medicine.html
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