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The efficacy of drinking hawthorn and Ophiopogon japonicus (McDoor) in water

Jan 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Hawthorn contains a large amount of organic acids and lipase, which can promote gastric juice secretion and aid digestion. Ophiopogon japonicus (Radix Ophiopogonis) can nourish yin and moisten dryness, helping maintain normal fluid levels in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting digestion. When used together in combination as a tea, these two ingredients can effectively improve conditions such as food stagnation, indigestion, and abdominal distension. Hawthorn has a sour and sweet taste and can strengthen the spleen, stimulate appetite, and enhance the functional transformation and transportation of the spleen and stomach.

Both hawthorn and Ophiopogon japonicus (mondo grass) are sources of both food and medicine. Drinking water steeped with these two ingredients generally has the following effects: promoting digestion and resolving food stagnation, strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production, activating blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and calming the mind to relieve irritability.

1. Promoting Digestion and Resolving Food Stagnation

Hawthorn contains large amounts of organic acids and lipase, which can promote gastric juice secretion and aid digestion. Ophiopogon japonicus nourishes yin and moistens dryness, helping maintain normal bodily fluids in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting digestion. When used together in water, they can effectively improve symptoms such as food stagnation, indigestion, and abdominal distension.

2. Strengthening the Spleen and Harmonizing the Stomach

Hawthorn, with its sour and sweet taste, can strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite, promoting the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach. Ophiopogon japonicus nourishes stomach yin and helps relieve symptoms such as poor appetite and dry mouth caused by yin deficiency of the spleen and stomach. Drinking water infused with hawthorn and Ophiopogon japonicus combines their effects, regulating spleen and stomach functions, enhancing digestive and absorptive capacities, and improving conditions of spleen and stomach weakness.

3. Nourishing Yin and Promoting Body Fluid Production

Ophiopogon japonicus is a commonly used Chinese herb for nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production, capable of nourishing lung, stomach, and heart yin. Hawthorn contains certain organic acids that can stimulate saliva secretion. Drinking water infused with both ingredients can synergistically nourish yin and promote body fluid production, increasing bodily fluids, relieving dryness symptoms, and maintaining moisture in the mouth and throat.

4. Activating Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis

Hawthorn has the effect of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, thus promoting blood circulation. Ophiopogon japonicus nourishes yin and enriches the blood. When appropriately combined with hawthorn in infused water, it can enhance the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, while also preventing excessive blood activation from damaging yin.

5. Calming the Mind and Relieving Irritability

Ophiopogon japonicus nourishes heart yin and clears heart heat, while the components of hawthorn have a certain calming and soothing effect. Drinking water infused with hawthorn and Ophiopogon japonicus can nourish heart yin, clear heat, and calm the mind, alleviating mental tension and anxiety, promoting sleep, improving sleep quality, and bringing about a sense of tranquility.

It is recommended to drink hawthorn and Ophiopogon japonicus infused water in moderation, avoiding excessive consumption to prevent additional strain on the body. A bland diet should be maintained in daily life, avoiding spicy and irritating foods. Adequate rest is also important, and excessive fatigue should be avoided.

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