Lately, I have been feeling a bit unwell and my doctor prescribed me some Schisandra infused water. However, I cannot tolerate the taste of Schisandra. Can I add some honey to it?
Can I Add Honey to Schisandra?
Schisandra is a traditional Chinese medicine with sour and sweet taste. It has warming properties and is known for its ability to constrict and astringe, nourish qi and generate fluids, tonify the kidneys, and calm the mind.
Honey is a common food in daily life and contains abundant nutrients and trace elements needed by the body. It has the effects of nourishing and moisturizing, detoxifying, beautifying the skin, and promoting bowel movements. There is no medicinal conflict between Schisandra and honey, so it is safe to add honey to Schisandra.
Effects and Functions of Schisandra and Honey Combination
Liver Protection
The active ingredients in Schisandra can promote liver cell repair and regeneration, inhibit liver damage, and reduce the activity of alanine aminotransferase. Honey's nutrients can help promote liver cell regeneration and maintain the normal physiological function of the liver. Therefore, the combination of Schisandra and honey can have a certain hepatoprotective effect.
Moistening the Lungs and Relieving Cough
Schisandra has a sour and sweet taste and has the effects of nourishing qi, generating fluids, and constricting and astringing. Honey also has the ability to moisten the lungs and generate fluids. Therefore, the combination of Schisandra and honey can provide auxiliary treatment for dryness and thirst, prolonged cough, weak cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath caused by lung-kidney deficiency.
Improving Sleep
Schisandra can tonify the five viscera, especially the kidneys, and has a calming effect. Its active ingredients can also inhibit central nervous system excitement. Therefore, drinking Schisandra infused with honey before sleep can help improve sleep to some extent.
Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory
The active ingredients in Schisandra have certain inhibitory effects on pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Salmonella typhi, and Vibrio cholerae. Honey has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and sterilizing, and can inhibit pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Methods of Taking Schisandra Infused with Honey
Schisandra Honey Tea
Instructions:
1. Take about 3 grams of Schisandra and 20 grams of honey.
2. Grind the Schisandra into a fine powder.
3. Mix the Schisandra powder with honey until well blended.
4. Consume directly or mix with warm water and drink.
5. Take three times a day.
Precautions for Taking Schisandra Infused with Honey
1. Do not take excessive amounts
It is generally recommended to take 2-6 grams of Schisandra as a medicinal dose. Taking more than 13-18 grams of Schisandra may cause discomfort such as burning sensation in the stomach, belching, acid reflux, and nausea.
2. Prevent allergic reactions
A small proportion of people may have allergies or toxic side effects when taking Schisandra. Symptoms such as urticaria, fever, headache, and nausea may occur. If you are unsure if you are allergic, you can start by taking a small amount of Schisandra and observe your reaction. If no discomfort occurs, you can continue taking it.
Contraindications for Taking Schisandra Infused with Honey
1. People with early-stage cough
Schisandra has a sour taste and has a strong astringent effect on the lungs. It is good for treating prolonged cough and weak cough. However, in the early stage of cough caused by external pathogenic factors, the treatment should focus on dispersing and expelling the pathogenic factors. Taking Schisandra in the early stage of cough will cause the pathogenic factors to be trapped in the body, worsening the cough and causing symptoms such as headache.
2. People with initial onset of rashes
Schisandra should not be taken in the initial stage of rashes, as the treatment for initial rashes should focus on dispersing and allowing the rashes to fully develop. Schisandra has a constricting effect, and taking it in the initial stage of rashes will trap the pathogenic factors in the body, exacerbating the symptoms of rashes.
3. People with diabetes
Honey contains a large amount of fructose and glucose, which are easily absorbed by the body. Taking honey may cause an increase in blood sugar and symptoms such as dizziness and blurred vision in people with diabetes.
4. People with dampness obstructing the middle jiao
People with symptoms such as bloating and fullness in the epigastrium, heavy body, and thick greasy tongue coating should avoid consuming honey. Honey is sweet and nourishing, and taking it may worsen the discomfort caused by dampness obstructing the middle jiao.
