What are the functions and benefits of steeping dried hawthorn in water?
Generally speaking, the effects and benefits of hawthorn dried fruit infused in water include antioxidant properties, lipid and blood pressure reduction, blood circulation improvement, enhanced immunity, and improved digestion. The details are as follows:
1. Antioxidant
Hawthorn dried fruit is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and anthocyanins, which provide antioxidant effects. Drinking hawthorn-infused water helps remove free radicals, reduce cellular damage, and may delay the aging process.
2. Lower Lipids and Blood Pressure
The flavonoids in hawthorn can dilate blood vessels and improve vascular elasticity, aiding in lowering blood pressure. Drinking hawthorn-infused water can regulate the myocardial and atrial amplitude of motion and coronary blood flow, promote fat metabolism, and reduce blood lipids.
3. Promote Blood Circulation and Remove Blood Stasis
The flavonoids in hawthorn dried fruit can improve blood circulation and have the effect of resolving blood stasis and removing stagnation. Drinking hawthorn-infused water can unblock the meridians, promote blood circulation, and alleviate conditions caused by Qi stagnation and blood stasis, such as amenorrhea, postpartum blood stasis blockage, and angina pectoris.
4. Enhance Immunity
The vitamin C and minerals in hawthorn dried fruit can enhance the body's immunity. Drinking hawthorn-infused water can improve disease resistance, enhance white blood cell function, and help the body fight infections.
5. Improve Digestion
Hawthorn dried fruit is rich in malic acid, citric acid, and enzymes that can stimulate gastric juice secretion and increase the activity of pepsin. Drinking hawthorn-infused water accelerates food digestion and absorption, promotes intestinal peristalsis, and prevents constipation.
When drinking hawthorn-infused water, it should be consumed in moderation. Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Pregnant women and individuals with weak spleen and stomach should avoid drinking it.