Soaked Chinese Herbal Medicines: Nourishing the Liver and Avoiding Taboos

We usually know that Chinese herbal medicine is taken after being decocted. However, some Chinese herbal medicines can be soaked in water and drank. Generally speaking, the following 3 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines soaked in water are beneficial for nourishing the liver, but it is important to note that "medicine is three parts poison, and the poison is more fierce than a tiger". Do not violate the taboos of soaking Chinese herbal medicines in water!

One: Soaked Goji Berries

Goji berries have a sweet and neutral taste. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that they can nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish essence and improve eyesight, as well as nourish the blood and enhance the immune system. For modern people, the practical effects of goji berries are anti-fatigue and blood pressure reduction.

In addition, goji berries can protect the liver, lower blood sugar, soften blood vessels, and reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. They have certain therapeutic effects on patients with fatty liver and diabetes. Clinical medical verification shows that goji berries can also treat chronic renal failure.

Goji polysaccharides have a protective effect on experimental liver damage, can reduce serum alanine aminotransferase, and promote liver damage repair. Wang Deshan conducted a study on the relationship between the effect of goji berries on experimental hyperlipidemia and liver lipid levels, and the results showed that goji berries can inhibit the deposition of fat in liver cells and promote the regeneration of liver cells.

Two: Soaked Polygonatum

In addition to dandelion, polygonatum is also an effective herbal medicine for liver function regulation in women. It is often referred to as "tail ginseng" by many people. After being soaked in water, this herbal medicine can enhance the liver cells' ability to resist diseases.

This is because polygonatum often contains abundant immune substances. When these substances enter the female body, they can improve the liver cells' antiviral ability, thereby effectively resisting the occurrence of liver diseases.

Three: Soaked Dandelion

Dandelion is actually a valuable medicinal plant for human health. This kind of medicinal plant is also helpful for women's liver problems, especially the root part of dandelion.

If women choose to soak this part in water and drink it, it can help strengthen the liver's detoxification function, help you eliminate toxins accumulated in the liver, and help maintain liver health and prevent liver diseases.

Soaking Chinese herbal medicines in water and drinking them is called "tea preparation" in traditional Chinese medicine, which is an important form of Chinese herbal medicines and a supplement to decoction. Although tea preparation and decoction are very similar, they still have differences. In terms of appearance, decoction is relatively turbid, while tea preparation is relatively clear. Therefore, although they are both water extracts, they still contain different effective ingredients.

Four: Taboos for Soaking Chinese Herbal Medicines in Water

However, not all Chinese herbal medicines can be used for tea preparation. Generally, Chinese herbal medicines suitable for tea preparation include ginseng, American ginseng, lingzhi mushroom, eucommia bark, longan pulp, goji berries, tangerine peel, and fat sea, among others. Leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and fresh products with light weight, loose taste, and sweet and light flavor are mostly used for tea preparation.

In general, when preparing tea, it is suitable to use tea preparations for lighter and easily soluble Chinese herbal medicines. Various flower species have more volatile components, and hot water soaking has a better effect. In addition, some Chinese herbal medicines with hard texture, bitter taste, toxicity, irritability, etc., are not suitable for tea preparation. For example, tree roots are not suitable for tea preparation. However, ginseng can be soaked for a day to slow-release its medicinal effects, save medicinal materials, and the herbal residue can also be consumed.

In addition, appropriate utensils should be chosen for preparing Chinese herbal medicines. Sand, ceramic, and glass teapots are the best, and insulated cups with lids can also be used. Sandpots and earthen pots are suitable for boiling Chinese herbal medicines, while copper, iron, and aluminum utensils should be avoided.