Health Benefits of Drinking Water Infused with Bidens pilosa
Feb 03, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zeng Chaofen
Introduction
Health Benefits of Drinking Water Infused with Bidens pilosa:
1. Astringent and Antidiarrheal Effects: Regular consumption of Bidens pilosa infusion helps prevent enteritis and bacillary dysentery. It can also be used therapeutically to treat these conditions when symptoms arise.
2. Relief of Gastric Distension: For indigestion caused by overeating or food accumulation, drinking an infusion of Bidens pilosa may help alleviate gastric bloating.
Primary Therapeutic Effects:
Astringes the intestines and stops diarrhea; relieves gastric distension; prevents jaundice and hepatitis; clears heat and reduces internal fire.
Introduction:
Bidens pilosa (commonly known as “ghost needle grass”) is an annual herb with an erect, bluntly quadrangular stem. Widely used in traditional Chinese folk medicine, it possesses heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, as well as effects that promote blood circulation and resolve stasis. It is commonly employed to treat upper respiratory tract infections, sore throat and tonsillitis, acute appendicitis, acute icteric hepatitis, gastroenteritis, rheumatic joint pain, and malaria. Externally, it is applied for furuncles and carbuncles, snakebites, and traumatic swelling and pain.
Therapeutic Effects
1. Astringes the Intestines and Stops Diarrhea
Regular consumption of Bidens pilosa infusion helps prevent enteritis and bacillary dysentery. When such conditions occur, drinking a decoction of Bidens pilosa can also serve as treatment. For bloody dysentery, the herb should be steeped longer; for mucoid (white) dysentery, brown sugar should be added to the infusion. This approach rapidly alleviates dysentery symptoms.
2. Relieves Gastric Distension
For indigestion caused by overeating or food accumulation, drinking an infusion of Bidens pilosa helps alleviate symptoms. It enhances gastrointestinal digestive function, promotes intestinal motility and defecation, and effectively relieves abdominal distension.
3. Prevents Jaundice and Hepatitis
Drinking Bidens pilosa infusion may help prevent common cases of jaundice and hepatitis. To prevent jaundice, combine Bidens pilosa with leaves of Quercus dentata (oak); for hepatitis prevention, combine it with Gossypium herbaceum (herbaceous cotton) flowers. Such combinations enhance its preventive efficacy.
4. Clears Heat and Reduces Internal Fire
When heat excess manifests as gingival swelling and pain, drinking Bidens pilosa infusion helps clear heat and reduce fire. Especially during summer, it effectively alleviates heat-related symptoms—often acting more rapidly than Western pharmaceuticals.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy; use with caution in patients with hypotension.
Precautions
Not recommended for long-term use; avoid excessive intake; do not combine with other traditional Chinese medicinal herbs.
