Longan
Overview
Longan is the sweet tropical fruit whose peeled flesh looks like a translucent eye, and the Donguibogam gives the origin of its name in plain language: the fruit looks like the eye of a dragon (龍眼). It is an imported (唐) entry, noted as growing in the southwest and grouped with the lychee. Two details stand out: its alias "益智" (increase wisdom) reflects the line that its flavor goes to the spleen and "increases the will," and the text ranks it below lychee for fresh eating — nicknaming it "the lychee's servant."
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam
- Settles the will and mind
- Flavor enters the spleen
- Removes parasites and toxin (classical)
Traditional applications recorded in the classical text
- Sweet fruit snack
- Everyday tonic-type fruit
- Longan stone used burned against runny nose (classical)
Traditional preparation
Eaten fresh or dried. The stone (核) is recorded separately: burned for smoke to treat constant runny nose.
This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.
Cautions
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called "dragon eye"?
The text says it is named for its shape: the fruit looks like the eye of a dragon.
Why is longan also called "increase wisdom"?
The entry says its flavor returns to the spleen and can increase the will, and it records the alias 益智.
Why is it called the "lychee's servant"?
Because eaten fresh it was judged less delicious than lychee, which it resembles and grows beside.
Sources
- 『동의보감』 탕액편, 허준, 1613 (원문) — 한문 원문
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 원문 및 국역 자료 참조