Gardenia is a common green plant that not only purifies the air but also has great medicinal value. It can be used to make herbal tea for health benefits. However, there are several types of people who should be cautious when using it!
[Benefits and Uses of Gardenia]
1. Clears heat and cools blood
Gardenia is bitter and cold, and it can clear away evil heat and purify the blood. It is an auxiliary treatment for diseases such as ulcers, swelling, intestinal wind, diarrhea, and excessive heat in the blood.
2. Dissolves phlegm and relieves cough
The active ingredients in gardenia can inhibit bacterial growth, promote the secretion of phlegm, and clear the airways. It has the effect of dissolving phlegm and relieving cough, and can be used as a dietary treatment for cough caused by hot phlegm congestion.
3. Promotes bowel movements
Gardenia contains fiber, which can promote colonic peristalsis and help with bowel movements. It can prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids and rectal cancer.
[Growing Gardenia]
1. Moderate watering
Gardenia prefers a warm and humid environment. If it grows in a dry and water-deficient environment, it may have difficulty blooming. Insufficient water can also disrupt the normal physiological metabolism of the plant, so it is important to keep the soil moist.
2. Improve soil quality
Gardenia thrives in acidic soil. If the soil is alkaline, it will be difficult for gardenia to bloom. If gardenia doesn't bloom for a long time, the soil needs to be improved. When watering, adding some ferrous sulfate can change the soil to acidic.
3. Fertilize during flowering period
Before the flowering period of gardenia, it needs a large amount of nutrients. Therefore, it is necessary to apply moderate fertilizer one month before the flowering period. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can help gardenia produce more flowers.
[Precautions for Using Gardenia]
When consuming gardenia, it is important to note that it is a bitter and cold food that can cause spleen deficiency and diarrhea. It should be avoided by people with kidney yang deficiency.
It is not suitable for people with chronic illness and physical weakness to consume gardenia. It is also not suitable for people with special constitution, such as Yang deficiency constitution, Yin deficiency constitution, Qi stagnation constitution, and blood stasis constitution.
Patients with diarrhea should also avoid consuming gardenia. It is not recommended for people with cold body or during menstruation as it may affect their health.
It is safe to drink gardenia tea, but it is recommended to use dried gardenia flowers. Remove the fresh gardenia flowers or newly bloomed flowers from the stems and press them into a thin layer. Then, dry them by baking or steaming and steep them in warm water for consumption. Drinking water with fresh gardenia flowers may cause discomfort in the body.
