Lychee Seed Core Whole (Litchi Chinensis Sonn)

Lychee Seed Core Whole (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is the dried seed of the lychee fruit, a cherished component of both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and classical southern herbal practices. Known in TCM as Li Zhi He, the seed has been used for centuries for its warming, qi-regulating, and pain-relieving properties, particularly in relation to liver and stomach meridian imbalances.

In traditional use, Lychee Seed is regarded as sweet, slightly bitter, and warm in nature, entering the Liver and Stomach channels. It is used to disperse cold, regulate qi, and relieve pain, making it a key herb for abdominal discomfort, menstrual cramps, testicular or hernia pain, and epigastric distension. It is also known to calm the liver and harmonize emotions, especially when qi stagnation is accompanied by tension or irritability.

In folk applications, Lychee Seeds are sometimes roasted and powdered to enhance their warming properties and used in herbal blends for digestive weakness or menstrual irregularities.

Modern phytochemical analysis of Litchi chinensis seeds reveals flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, and fatty acids, which contribute to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory-supporting effects. These compounds help explain the seed’s traditional reputation for soothing pain, improving circulation, and restoring energy flow.

Each batch of Lychee Seed Core Whole (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is carefully cleaned and sun-dried to preserve its dense texture, subtle aroma, and medicinal integrity. When decocted, the seeds produce a warm, mildly astringent infusion commonly included in formulas for abdominal pain, cold stagnation, or emotional stress.