Is it safe to drink long-term water infused with Buddleja flowers?

"Meng Hua" refers to Buddleja officinalis, which is not recommended for long-term consumption. Although Buddleja officinalis has certain medicinal value and health benefits, prolonged use as a tea may cause harm to the body, and it's advisable to consult a doctor before consuming it.

Buddleja officinalis is a traditional Chinese herb with a sweet taste and slightly cold nature, affecting the liver meridian. It functions to clear heat, purge fire, nourish the liver, and improve vision. It is commonly used to treat eye conditions such as redness, swelling, pain, dim vision, and blurred sight. For individuals with eye disorders, it can serve both preventive and therapeutic purposes with certain effectiveness.

Due to its cold nature, long-term use as an infusion may impair spleen and stomach function, particularly in individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, where the effects are more pronounced. Prolonged consumption may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Although Buddleja officinalis has some liver-protective properties, long-term intake may also damage the kidneys and affect renal function.

It should be noted that individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, pregnant women, women during menstruation, and patients with hemorrhagic disorders should use Buddleja officinalis cautiously or avoid it altogether. Additionally, herbal teas have limited therapeutic efficacy, provide relatively weak treatment effects, and cannot replace properly decocted herbal medicines.