The Efficacy and Benefits of Drinking Water Infused with Wu Mei (Black Plum)
Jan 07, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
The Chinese plum (Prunus mume) has a sour taste and can stimulate gastric acid secretion, enhancing the digestive functions of the stomach and intestines, thereby improving appetite and aiding digestion. Drinking it steeped in water can be used to treat symptoms such as poor appetite and indigestion. It helps enhance the transforming and transporting functions of the spleen and stomach, promotes digestion and absorption of food, alleviates discomfort such as abdominal distension and dyspepsia, and increases appetite. Additionally, due to its sour and astringent properties, Chinese plum can help收敛 lung qi and has the effect of relieving cough by astringing lung function.
The efficacy and functions of drinking black plum steeped in water generally include stimulating appetite and aiding digestion, astringing the lungs to relieve cough, tightening the intestines to stop diarrhea, promoting saliva production to relieve thirst, and enhancing immunity.
1. Stimulate Appetite and Aid Digestion
Black plum has a sour taste, which can promote secretion of gastric acid, enhance the digestive functions of the stomach and intestines, and stimulate appetite. Drinking black plum water can be used to treat symptoms such as poor appetite and indigestion. It can improve the transforming and transporting functions of the spleen and stomach, promote digestion and absorption of food, alleviate discomfort such as abdominal distension and indigestion, and increase appetite.
2. Astringe the Lungs and Relieve Cough
Due to its sour and astringent properties, black plum can help prevent the dissipation of lung Qi and has the effect of astringing the lungs to relieve cough. For chronic cough due to lung deficiency or dry cough with little phlegm, drinking black plum water can relieve cough caused by upward rushing lung Qi by astringing the lung Qi, thus helping restore normal lung function.
3. Tighten the Intestines and Stop Diarrhea
With its sour and astringent properties, black plum has a tightening effect on the intestines and can be used to treat chronic diarrhea and dysentery. It enhances the intestines' ability to retain fluids, reduces excessive intestinal motility, alleviates diarrhea symptoms, and is particularly effective for prolonged diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency and unstable large intestine, helping restore normal intestinal function.
4. Promote Saliva Production and Relieve Thirst
The sour taste of black plum can stimulate salivary glands to secrete saliva, thus producing saliva and relieving thirst. It can be used to treat conditions such as thirst caused by fluid deficiency or diabetes. It helps alleviate symptoms of dry mouth and throat, increases oral fluids, improves bodily fluid deficiency, and can relieve excessive thirst caused by febrile diseases or diabetes.
5. Enhance Immunity
The vitamin C and various trace elements in black plums, such as potassium and magnesium, can enhance the body's immunity and improve resistance to diseases. Long-term moderate consumption of black plum water contributes to overall health and reduces the occurrence of illness.
It is recommended to drink an appropriate amount of black plum water according to individual conditions, without excessive intake. In daily diet, it is recommended to maintain a diverse intake of foods to help maintain health.
