Longan and Toasted Sour Jujube Seed Brew

Why people make this brew

In traditional Chinese food-therapy thinking, epilepsy (particularly the pattern described as “spleen and kidney deficiency”) is associated with symptoms that worsen over time: pale complexion, mental fogginess, forgetfulness and fatigue. Longan flesh — mild, sweet and warming — has long been used in folk medicine to nourish brain and nervous function and is considered easy to eat daily, whether steeped as a tea or nibbled as a snack. Pairing it with toasted sour jujube seeds (which are traditionally associated with calming the heart and anchoring scattered shen / mental energy) and dan shen (red sage root, associated with invigorating blood circulation) makes a brew that addresses both the emotional and circulatory dimensions that traditional practitioners link to long-term qi-blood depletion.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Those with long-standing epilepsy who experience qi and blood deficiency patterns (pale complexion, weakness, forgetfulness) may find this a supportive adjunct — always alongside, never in place of, prescribed medication.
• Also beneficial for nervous exhaustion, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and poor sleep in general, including children preparing for exams (use a smaller portion and less longan if heat-sensitivity is a concern).
• People who run warm or who are prone to “internal heat” should reduce the amount of longan, as it is warming in nature.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Longan flesh (gui yuan rou): Sweet, warm; traditionally used to nourish heart blood and calm the mind. Rich in glucose, sucrose and various B vitamins. Frequently used as a simple daily tea or snack for brain support.
• Toasted sour jujube seeds (chao zao ren, Ziziphus spinosa): One of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine for calming the mind and supporting restful sleep. Toasting (dry-roasting in a clean wok) releases aromatic compounds and is the traditional preparation.
• Dan shen / red sage root (dan shen, Salvia miltiorrhiza): Invigorates blood circulation and calms the mind; often used where heart-blood stasis accompanies mental disturbance.
• Raw honey (feng mi): Sweetens naturally and is traditionally considered to nourish the middle burner. Added after cooking to preserve its beneficial qualities.

Ingredients (2 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried longan flesh	~19 g (5 qian)	Rinse gently
Sour jujube seeds (zao ren)	~19 g (5 qian)	Dry-toast in a clean wok before using
Dan shen (red sage root)	~19 g (5 qian)	Rinse
Raw honey	To taste	Stir in after the brew has cooled slightly

Method

1. Dry-toast the sour jujube seeds in a clean, ungreased wok over medium heat until lightly fragrant. Remove and set aside.
2. Rinse all remaining ingredients.
3. Place the toasted zao ren, longan flesh and dan shen into a pot with 5 bowls of water.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour until reduced to approximately 2 bowls.
5. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly, then stir in honey to taste.
6. Take twice daily. A course of 2–3 servings per week is suggested.

Bro Niu’s tips

This brew can be taken regularly over a longer period — it is gentle enough for ongoing use. Beyond epilepsy support, it is widely helpful for nervous exhaustion, stress, poor sleep and mental fatigue from overwork or study. Children sitting examinations can also benefit. If you find longan too warming, simply reduce the amount. Honey can be replaced with red dates or mi zao (candied dates) if preferred. Use a glass pot when possible rather than metal — certain herbs can interact with reactive metals and a glass pot avoids any such concern.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Jess): Can the honey be substituted with something else? Bro Niu: You can replace honey with red dates (hong zao) or candied dates (mi zao).

• Q (Jess): How much water and how long to cook? How often should I make it? Bro Niu: Use 5 bowls of water, simmer for about 1 hour until you have 2 bowls. Take once a day, split into servings. Around 2 to 3 times a week is a good rhythm.

• Q (reader): Besides this brew, are there other food-therapy options suitable for epilepsy? Bro Niu: Yes — regularly eating longan, walnuts, black beans, mulberries and goji berries is helpful. You can also make a soup with tian ma (gastrodia), gou teng (uncaria), goji berries and ginger with large fish head — 5 bowls of water down to 2, once or twice a week. It helps reduce flare-ups.

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Published May 10, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.