Longan American Ginseng Paste (Yu Ling Gao)

Why people make this tonic

There is a classical Chinese food-therapy preparation called Yu Ling Gao — literally “Jade Efficacy Paste” — first recorded by the Qing-dynasty physician Wang Mengying, who called for steaming longan flesh with American ginseng powder for 40 hours or more to mellow the warming nature of the longan. Bro Niu came across a supply of wild American ginseng powder and decided to try a shortened three-to-four-hour steam to see whether the resulting paste would be worth making at home. The result was a fragrant, naturally sweet tonic that the whole family can share a spoonful of each day.

Longan flesh is traditionally regarded as nourishing to the heart and spleen, supporting qi and blood, and calming the mind. American ginseng is valued for its gentler, cooler quality compared with regular ginseng — making the combination particularly suited to people whose constitution tends toward heat or dryness yet who also feel depleted, forgetful, or prone to disturbed sleep.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Well suited to those who tire easily, feel mentally foggy, or experience light, restless sleep linked to blood or qi deficiency.
• Also traditionally used for occasional dizziness and forgetfulness associated with overwork or inadequate nourishment.
• Pregnant women should not use this preparation.
• People who have a cold or flu should wait until they have fully recovered before taking it.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Longan flesh (long yan rou): Warm in nature; traditionally associated with nourishing heart and spleen, supporting qi and blood, calming the spirit, and easing forgetfulness and mild dizziness linked to blood deficiency.
• American ginseng powder (hua qi shen, Panax quinquefolius): Cooler in nature than regular ginseng; traditionally regarded as supporting qi while also nurturing yin fluids — the classical pairing with longan is meant to balance the latter’s warming tendency and broaden the formula’s reach to include those prone to feeling overheated.

Ingredients (1 jar / ~10–12 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh longan flesh	300 g	Shelled and pitted; Thai fresh longan works well in season
American ginseng powder	30 g	Ratio is 10:1 longan to ginseng by weight

Method

1. Shell and pit the fresh longan, then chop roughly and place in a large heatproof bowl. Do not add water.
2. Stir in the American ginseng powder until the powder is evenly distributed throughout the longan.
3. Place the bowl over a pot of boiling water (double-boiler method) and steam, covered, for 3–4 hours. Top up the water in the pot as needed.
4. Allow the paste to cool completely, then transfer to a clean glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
5. To serve: dissolve 1 tablespoon of paste in a cup of warm water and drink. Consume within a few months.

Bro Niu’s tips

Fresh longan flesh gives this paste a naturally sweet, fragrant quality that dried longan cannot quite replicate — worth using when in season. Regular consumption is traditionally associated with supporting memory and easing fatigue. Pregnant women and anyone with a current cold or flu should avoid it.

A note on American ginseng: if you grind your own from whole or sliced ginseng, use the powder within two to three months, as ground ginseng loses potency and can go mouldy more quickly than whole pieces.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Yee): Is it better to grind American ginseng into powder and drink it dissolved in water rather than using sliced pieces steeped in hot water? Bro Niu: If you grind it into powder the whole amount gets used rather than being discarded — so yes, the effect can be better. But once ground, you must finish it within two to three months or it will deteriorate and may grow mould. Sliced pieces keep longer and can still be drunk as a steep.

• Q (siunam, nursing mother): I have been short on sleep and feel like I have excess internal heat — dry lips, thirst. I used to drink American ginseng tea effectively. Can I still drink it while breastfeeding? Bro Niu: You can use American ginseng while breastfeeding. Try 1 tablespoon of ginseng powder or a few slices, silver ear fungus (2 qian), sweet almonds (5 qian), and four dried figs simmered into a sweet soup or lean-meat broth — ginseng added near the end. It nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and can also support milk production.

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Published June 27, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.