Wuweizi is a highly valued medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, known for its astringent, tonifying, and liver-protecting properties. Can wuweizi lower blood lipids?
Can Wuweizi Lower Blood Lipids?
Wuweizi has some effect in lowering blood lipids.
High blood lipids refers to a condition where the levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood are elevated, or the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are low.
Wuweizi has a sour and sweet taste and a warm property. It has the effects of astringing, tonifying, and nourishing the kidneys. It is commonly used to treat chronic cough and wheezing, nocturnal emission and seminal emission, frequent urination, chronic diarrhea, excessive sweating, thirst with fluid damage, palpitations, and insomnia. The active ingredients in wuweizi can promote liver detoxification and, to some extent, lower the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, wuweizi has a certain lipid-lowering effect.
Is Wuweizi Effective in Lowering Blood Lipids?
The lipid-lowering effect of wuweizi is moderate, and the effect of using it alone is limited.
Wuweizi is a highly valued medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, commonly used to treat lung deficiency and cough, dryness and thirst, excessive sweating, night sweats, weakness and emaciation, nocturnal emission and seminal emission, chronic diarrhea, and prolonged dysentery. It is not commonly used to lower blood lipids, and using wuweizi alone for lipid-lowering purposes has limited effectiveness. It is recommended to consult a doctor and use it in combination with other lipid-lowering medications based on individual conditions.
How to Use Wuweizi for Lowering Blood Lipids
Wuweizi Tea
Preparation:
1. Crush wuweizi and put it in a cup.
2. Pour boiling water over it.
3. Cover and let it steep for about 15 minutes.
4. During this time, you can add water 2-3 times as a substitute for tea.
5. You can also add honey or rock sugar for flavor.
Wuweizi Porridge
Ingredients: 10g wuweizi, 10g jujube, 100g glutinous rice, sugar as needed.
Preparation:
1. Crush wuweizi and remove the pits from the jujube.
2. Wash the glutinous rice, add wuweizi and jujube to a pot.
3. Add an appropriate amount of water and cook the porridge.
4. Add sugar to taste after the porridge is cooked, and cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Take once in the morning and once in the evening.
What Precautions to Take When Using Wuweizi for Lowering Blood Lipids
1. Avoid Blind Use
Although wuweizi has a certain lipid-lowering effect, its effectiveness is limited and cannot replace lipid-lowering medications. Even during the use of wuweizi, lipid-lowering medications should continue to be taken. If any discomfort occurs during the period, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
2. Pay Attention to Dosage
The general dosage of wuweizi is 2-6 grams. As wuweizi is a medicinal herb, excessive dosage is not recommended. Taking more than 13-18 grams at a time may cause symptoms such as burning sensation in the stomach, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. If it is used for the treatment of a certain disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor for detailed dosage and follow their guidance.
3. Prevent Allergic Reactions
A small portion of the population may experience allergies or adverse reactions when taking wuweizi, such as hives, fever, headache, and nausea. If you are unsure whether you are allergic, you can take a small amount of wuweizi first and observe for about an hour. If no discomfort occurs, you can continue taking it.
4. Not Suitable for Early Stages of Cough
Wuweizi has a sour taste and has a strong astringent effect on the lungs. It is effective in treating chronic and non-productive coughs. However, for early stages of cough caused by external factors, the treatment should focus on dispersing and expelling pathogenic factors. Taking wuweizi in the early stages of cough can cause the pathogenic factors to be trapped in the body, worsening symptoms such as cough and headache.
5. Not Suitable for Early Stages of Rashes (Measles)
Wuweizi has a contracting effect, so it is not suitable for use in the early stages of rashes. In the early stages of rashes, treatment should focus on promoting the eruption of the rash. Taking wuweizi in the early stages of rashes can cause the pathogenic factors to be retained in the body, exacerbating the symptoms of the rash.
Dietary Recommendations for Patients with High Blood Lipids
1. Low Fat and Low Oil
Patients with high blood lipids should consume less fatty foods in their daily lives, such as fatty pork and animal organs. Oil intake should also be reduced, as even plant oils contain a certain amount of saturated fatty acids, which can increase blood lipids.
2. Eat More Vegetables and Fruits
Vegetables and fruits contain a large amount of water and vitamin C. Vitamin C has the effect of lowering blood lipids. Dietary fiber in vegetables and fruits can prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and reduce blood viscosity.
3. Eat More Soy Products
Such as soybeans and tofu, which are rich in lecithin. Lecithin can lower cholesterol in the blood, improve blood viscosity, and prevent cholesterol from depositing in blood vessels, thereby helping to lower blood lipids.
