Longan

Longan (scientific name: Dimocarpus longan Lour.), also known as longan, Yizhi. The local people in Putian call it Sanchi Nongwei; an evergreen tree, usually more than 10 meters high; twigs are sturdy, slightly pubescent, with scattered pale lenticels. The leaves and petioles are 15-30 cm long or longer; the leaflets are 4-5 pairs, thin leathery, oblong-elliptical to oblong-lanceolate, often asymmetrical on both sides; the petiole length is usually no more than 5 mm. The inflorescence is large and branched; the pedicel is short; the sepals are nearly leathery, triangular-ovate; the petals are milky white, lanceolate, nearly the same length as the sepals, and only slightly pubescent on the outside; the filaments are short and hard. The fruit is nearly spherical, usually yellow-brown or sometimes gray-yellow, slightly rough on the outside, or with a few slightly convex tubercles; the seeds are tea-brown, shiny, and all wrapped in fleshy aril. The flowering period is between spring and summer, and the fruiting period is summer.

It is widely cultivated in southwest and southeast China, with Guangdong being the most prosperous, followed by Fujian. It can also be found wild or semi-wild in sparse forests in Yunnan and southern Guangxi. It is also commonly cultivated in southern and southeastern Asia. Longan is one of the famous fruit trees in southern and southeastern China, often mentioned together with lychee. Longan is rich in glucose, sucrose and protein, and has a relatively high iron content, which can increase heat energy and supplement nutrition.

Nutritional value of longan

Nutritionists have found that every 100 grams of longan pulp contains 12%-23% total sugar, 26.91% glucose, 1.26% tartaric acid, 1.41% protein, 0.45% fat, 163.7 mg of vitamin C, 196.6 mg of vitamin K, as well as vitamins B1, B2, P, etc. After processing and making into dried fruits, each 100 grams contains 74.6 grams of sugar, 35 mg of iron, 2 mg of calcium, 110 mg of phosphorus, 1200 mg of potassium and other minerals, as well as a variety of amino acids, saponins, X-glycine, tannins, choline, etc. This is the source of its powerful nourishing ability.

Longan is rich in glucose, sucrose, protein, etc., and has a relatively high iron content. It can increase heat energy, supplement nutrition, and promote hemoglobin regeneration, thereby achieving the effect of nourishing blood. Studies have found that in addition to its tonic effect on the whole body, longan meat is particularly effective for brain cells, can enhance memory and eliminate fatigue.

The efficacy and function of longan

1. Replenishing Qi and blood, enhancing memory

Longan meat is rich in glucose, sucrose and protein, and has a high iron content. It can increase heat energy and supplement nutrition while promoting hemoglobin regeneration to replenish blood. Experimental studies have found that longan meat is not only beneficial to the whole body, but also particularly beneficial to brain cells, can enhance memory and eliminate fatigue.

2. Calming the mind

Longan pulp contains a large amount of iron, potassium and other elements, which can promote the regeneration of hemoglobin to treat palpitations, panic, insomnia and forgetfulness caused by anemia. Longan contains up to 2.5 mg (100 g) of niacin, which can be used to treat dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia and even mental disorders caused by niacin deficiency.

3. Nourishing blood and stabilizing pregnancy

Longan meat contains a lot of iron and vitamins, which can reduce uterine contractions and sagging sensations. It is beneficial for pregnant women who accelerate metabolism and the development of the fetus, and has a stabilizing effect on the fetus.

4. Antibacterial and inhibit cancer cells

Experiments have shown that the inhibition rate of longan pulp on a certain type of tumor is over 90%, and it has a certain inhibitory effect on cancer cells. Clinically, when cancer patients were given oral administration of crude longan extract, their symptoms improved by 90% and their lifespan was extended by about 80%.

5. Reduce fat, protect the heart, and delay aging

Longan pulp can lower blood lipids, increase coronary blood flow, and has a strong inhibitory effect on brain monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), a flavin protein closely related to the aging process.

Medicinal value of longan

Longan is sweet and mild in nature. It is a good tonic. It has the effects of appetizing, strengthening the spleen, nourishing blood and calming the mind, strengthening yang and replenishing qi, and replenishing the deficiency and strengthening the brain. It can be used for physical weakness after a case, palpitations and edema, forgetfulness and insomnia, anemia and other symptoms. The medical book "Shennong's Herbal Classic" records: "Long-term use strengthens the soul and makes people smart." "Depei Materia Medica" believes that the role of longan is: "Benefit the stomach, preserve heart blood, moisten the five internal organs, and treat palpitations."

For those suffering from insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitations and restlessness, you can use 15-30 grams of longan meat, add water to boil into a soup, and take it before going to bed; for those with spleen deficiency and diarrhea, use 10 grams of longan meat and 3 slices of ginger, boil them into a soup and take it; for women with postpartum edema, you can use 15 grams of longan meat, 10 dates, and 3 slices of ginger, boil them into a soup and take it; for those with anemia and night sweats, you can use 10 longans, 15 grams of lotus seeds, and 10 grams of Euryale ferox, boil them into a soup and take it before going to bed.

Longan can easily cause internal heat, so young people and strong people should eat less. People with symptoms of yin deficiency and internal heat such as dry stool, yellow and red urine, dry mouth and tongue should not eat it. People with thick and greasy tongue coating, indigestion, and loss of appetite should also eat less.

Side effects and contraindications of longan

Although longan has good effects, it is not suitable to eat too much. People with phlegm in the spleen and stomach and indigestion should not take it, so as to avoid asthma caused by phlegm blocking the chest. Especially pregnant women in early pregnancy should not take it to prevent fetal movement and premature birth. Because of its high glucose content, it is better for diabetic patients to take less to avoid aggravating the condition. It is not suitable to eat when there are symptoms of inflammation. Fresh longan is rich in nutrition and delicious. Be careful when eating it. Do not eat unripe longan, because it is easy to cause asthma.

How to make delicious longan

Red Dates and Longan Oatmeal Porridge

Main ingredients: Fragrant rice, oats, red dates, dried longan

Accessories: Rock sugar

step:

1. Prepare all the ingredients.

2. Wash the red dates and fragrant rice, and put all the ingredients into the inner pot of the no-fire cooking pot.

3. Add appropriate amount of water.

4. Boil over high heat for 10 minutes.

5. Then turn off the heat, put it in the outer pot, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Pigeon Soup with Tremella and Longan

Main ingredients: Tremella, pigeon, dried longan

Accessories: Chicken powder

step:

1. Ingredients: Tremella (dried), dried longan, pigeon.

4. Soak the white fungus in clean water until it expands.

5. Wash the pigeon and cut off the feet and wing tips.

6. Cut in half.

7. Put it in a soup pot and add appropriate amount of water.

8. Cook over high heat.

9. Take it out and wash it, and pour out the water in the pot.

10. Add appropriate amount of clean water again.

11. After the Tremella is soaked, cut it into small pieces with kitchen scissors.

12. No stem.

13. Put the white fungus into the pot.

14. Add the washed dried longan.

15. Cover the pot and cook over high heat.

16. Bring to boil and turn off the heat.

17. Pour into the electric stew pot.

18. Cover the pot and turn on the power.

19. Cook for about 2 hours and then turn off the power.

20. Add appropriate amount of chicken powder for seasoning and mix well.

21. Pour into a bowl and enjoy.