The Longan fruit, closely allied to the lychee, has been used for medical purpose as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE).
Both longan fruit and lychee make a name of themselves for their unique flavor. While it is generally acknowledged that lychee is much tastier, when it comes to medicinal properties, the longan fruit is believed to be the better of the two.
Medicinally it mainly refers to the aril of Dimocarpus longan Lour. or Euphoria Longan (Lour.) Steud., which is a plant in the family Sapindaceae.
Hence, other names of it include Long Yan, Longan Aril, Arillus Longan, Longan Flesh, dragon eyes, and Gui Yuan.In China it is primarily produced in Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangxi and other places.It is normally picked in the summer when the fruits become mature.Then it needs to get through a few more steps before the use â shell and pit removed, dried in the sun, and stored in dry place.
