The efficacy of Cuscuta seeds

Sep 13, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. He Haochen

Introduction

Dodder seeds (Tusizi) can be used to brew tea, or they can be consumed directly, added to porridge, or used in making alcoholic infusions. You may choose to add ingredients such as goji berries, Schisandra berries, chrysanthemum flowers, etc. The dodder seeds should first be crushed and sun-dried, then mixed with some white liquor; this makes the alcoholic infusion healthier. Alternatively, you can add various other ingredients like Ophiopogon tuber (Maidong), Eucommia bark (Shudi), honey, and others to make a healthful tea with excellent tonic effects.

Dodder seed is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Many people may not have heard of it, but dodder seed has numerous health benefits. What are the benefits of dodder seed?

Benefits of Dodder Seed

Dodder seed is an excellent herb for tonifying the kidneys, liver, and spleen. First recorded in the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), it was classified as a superior-grade herb. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that dodder seed nourishes both yin and yang.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the effects of securing essence and stabilizing pregnancy are generally associated with hormone-like actions. Modern research confirms that dodder seed exhibits both estrogen-like and androgen-like activities, promoting the development and maturation of reproductive organs. It also possesses anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-cancer properties, and can enhance human immunity. Clinically, it is primarily used to treat kidney deficiency syndromes including deficiency of both kidney yin and yang, lower back pain, impotence, nocturnal emission, frequent urination, cold uterus causing infertility, dark spots, and loose stools.

Dodder seed can be used to brew tea, eaten directly, cooked into porridge, or infused in alcohol. You may add ingredients such as wolfberry (goji berries), schisandra berries, chrysanthemum flowers, etc. It is recommended to crush and sun-dry the dodder seeds first, then soak them in a small amount of white liquor, which makes the preparation healthier. Alternatively, you can choose to combine it with other ingredients like dwarf lilyturf root (mai dong), mulberry fruit, honey, and more to make herbal tea. This provides good health benefits and helps moisten the lungs. In daily life, one should also strengthen physical exercise, frequently open windows for ventilation indoors, avoid chronic late-night stays, develop a habit of going to bed early and rising early, and consume one egg and a glass of milk every day. I hope this answer has been helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness.

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Does Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi) cause heatiness?

Cuscuta (Tu Si Zi) is a mild tonic with warm properties. When used appropriately and strictly according to medical advice, it generally does not cause internal heat ("fire") in the body, and can effectively improve vision, stop bleeding, tonify yang and nourish yin, as well as consolidate essence and reduce urination. However, if the dosage is increased blindly without following medical guidance, it may lead to an imbalance of yin and yang, resulting in symptoms of internal heat such as sore throat, painful or dark-colored short urination, and mouth or tongue ulcers.

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Can Cuscuta seeds and Cornus officinalis be cooked into porridge?

Under normal circumstances, Cuscuta seeds and Cornus officinalis can be cooked together into a porridge. Both Cuscuta seeds and Cornus officinalis are commonly used medicinal ingredients that have functions of nourishing the kidney, replenishing essence, strengthening kidney function, and arresting diarrhea. For individuals experiencing symptoms such as kidney deficiency, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, seminal emission, or premature ejaculation, appropriately consuming porridge made with Cuscuta seeds and Cornus officinalis may provide certain nourishing benefits.