Overview of the efficacy and functions of water wenghua

Water wenghua, also known as water banyan or water wenghua, is a common medicinal plant in Lingnan area. Its flowers, leaves and roots can be used as medicine. It has the functions of clearing away heat and detoxification, removing dampness and relieving heat, diuresis and reducing swelling.In terms of primary and secondary content structure,Clear away heat and detoxifyandRemove dampness and relieve heatas the core role, followed by auxiliaryRelieve cold symptomsandImprove digestive function.Modern research also shows that the flavonoids it contains have certain antioxidant effects.The following article will focus on these effects, combining traditional applications and modern scientific evidence to systematically introduce the practical value of watercress.

Traditional application for clearing heat, detoxifying, removing dampness and relieving summer heat

Watercress is commonly used among the people to treat problems such as excessive thirst due to summer heat and diarrhea due to damp heat.Its nature is cool and slightly bitter, and it can effectively remove heat toxins from the body. In Lingnan areas, fresh flowers or dried flowers are often used as tea to relieve dizziness and thirst caused by high temperatures in summer.According to the "Lingnan Medicine Collection Record", the compatibility of waterweed, honeysuckle and chrysanthemum can enhance the effect of relieving summer heat.In addition, its dehumidification effect also has a certain improvement effect on damp-heat eczema and short red urine. It is often used together with Smilax smilax and adzuki bean.

The synergistic effect of diuresis, swelling and cold relief

The diuretic effect of waterweed is related to its rich potassium ions and glycosides, which can promote water metabolism and reduce edema.For throat swelling and pain in the early stage of wind-heat cold, gargling with water-flower decoction can relieve the symptoms.Research shows that its volatile oil components have inhibitory effects on pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus (see Table 1).Combined with its diaphoretic and surface-relieving properties, it is commonly used among people to mix it with mint and mulberry leaves to make cold tea.

Modern research and usage precautions

Recent studies have found that the free radical scavenging rate of waterweed extract can reach more than 70%, suggesting its anti-aging potential.However, it should be noted that it is cold in nature, and those with spleen and stomach deficiency should not take it for a long time; pregnant women and children should consult a physician before use.It is recommended that the daily dosage of dried flowers should be controlled at 5-10 grams and the fresh flowers should not exceed 30 grams to avoid excessive consumption of flowers causing diarrhea.

Summary and practical suggestions

To sum up, watercress is a plant with both medicinal and health care value, and is especially suitable for summer conditioning for people with hot and humid constitutions.It can be made into herbal tea or cooked with barley to bring out its comprehensive effects.When using, it is necessary to differentiate the syndrome and adjust the compatibility according to the physical constitution.It is relatively safe, but it should be avoided to be used in combination with cold and cooling drugs to balance the medicinal properties.

Citing sources

1. "Records of Lingnan Medicine Collecting"·Xiao Budan (Republic of China)
2. "Modern Research on Chinese Herbal Medicine"·South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2018)
3. Guangdong Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine "Lingnan Materia Medica Compilation" (2021)