Notoginseng and Longan Heart-Calming Soup
Ingredients
- Notoginseng powder 3g (or notoginseng slices 5g)
- Longan pulp (longyan rou) 15g
- Red jujubes 3–5 (pitted)
- Rock sugar to taste
Principle
Notoginseng disperses stasis, stops bleeding, reduces swelling, and relieves pain; public sources cite research on antithrombotic and anti–myocardial injury effects. Longan tonifies heart and spleen and nourishes blood to calm the spirit. Notoginseng tends to unblock; longan tends to supplement; red jujube supplements qi and blood—the pairing activates blood, unblocks vessels, nourishes blood, and calms the spirit (syndrome differentiation required).
Effects & uses
Suitable as daily adjunct when heart blood stasis combines with qi-blood deficiency: palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, dull or stabbing chest pain, sallow complexion, darkish tongue—blood deficiency with stasis (syndrome differentiation required). Does not replace standard treatment; severe chest pain not relieved by nitroglycerin requires emergency care.
Method
- Wash longan and jujubes; pit jujubes; add about 300–400 mL water and simmer on low heat 20–30 minutes until soft.
- Stir in notoginseng powder before turning off heat (avoid prolonged boiling); rock sugar optional.
How to use
- Eat warm; drink soup and eat longan and jujubes. 2–3 times per week—not daily long-term.
Caution
Contraindicated in pregnancy. Use with caution during menstruation. Avoid during cold with fever. Not suitable for yin deficiency with internal heat, phlegm-fire, dry mouth with red throat, or thick greasy coating. Use caution in diabetes (longan is high in sugar). Small servings if poor digestion, distension, or loose stools. Do not overdose notoginseng; consult a physician if combining with anticoagulants. Daily dietary food care is not a substitute for medication.
Source
China Medical Information Query Platform entries for notoginseng and longan; Guang’anmen Hospital Wang Lixia review of longan materials; folk notoginseng–longan stew compilation. Fixed formula name “Notoginseng Longan Heart-Calming Soup” source pending verification. To be manually verified.