Bai seeds, a specialty of China, are distributed throughout the country except for Qinghai and Xinjiang. They are the dried and mature seeds of the cypress tree, a plant of the cypress family. They can be used as medicine and have the effects of nourishing the heart and calming the mind, moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movements, and stopping sweating. They are commonly used for conditions such as insufficient yin and blood, restless sleep, palpitations, dry and constipated intestines, and night sweats due to yin deficiency.
Nourishing the Heart and Calming the Mind
The cypress tree contains volatile oils throughout the entire plant, mainly consisting of sabinene and limonene. These substances have a certain effect in relaxing the nerves and stabilizing emotions. Therefore, using bai seeds as pillows or incense can be used to nourish the heart and calm the mind, and it has a good regulating effect on insomnia.
Lowering Blood Pressure
The amount of sabinene and limonene in bai seeds is much higher than that in the leaves and stems of the tree. These two components also have a certain hypotensive effect when ingested into the body, reducing cerebral blood flow and relieving emotions. They have a certain adjuvant therapeutic effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases caused by hypertension.
Boosting Immunity
Bai seeds can generate negative ions, which are known as "air vitamins" and can regulate the nervous system and respiratory system, improve the body's immune function, and prevent diseases.
Antibacterial and Insect Repellent
When bai seeds are burned, the smoke contains a large amount of volatile substances such as sabinene and limonene. These substances have certain killing effects on mosquitoes, fleas, flies, as well as viruses and bacteria in the air. Therefore, bai seeds are commonly used as incense for sterilization and insect repellent.
Moisturizing the Intestines and Promoting Bowel Movements
After the bai seeds are peeled, they become baizi kernels, which contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Consuming them can lubricate the intestines and promote bowel movements, making them suitable for people with constipation.
