What are the benefits of soaking Dendrobium (Shihu) in water?
Generally, the effects of soaking Dendrobium (Shihu) in water include enhancing immunity, regulating endocrine function, nourishing yin and body fluids, improving sleep quality, and promoting digestion. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Enhancing Immunity
Dendrobium contains polysaccharides, flavonoids, and other components that can enhance the body's immune function and improve resistance. Drinking Dendrobium-infused water can help the body better resist invasion by external pathogens by modulating the immune system.
2. Regulating Endocrine Function
Dendrobium helps balance the endocrine system and alleviate symptoms such as premenstrual syndrome. Drinking Dendrobium-infused water can also regulate metabolism and promote blood circulation, thereby improving overall physical condition.
3. Nourishing Yin and Body Fluids
Dendrobium has a sweet taste and can nourish yin and body fluids. Drinking Dendrobium-infused water can relieve symptoms caused by yin deficiency and fluid depletion, such as dry mouth and throat, sore throat, and constipation. It helps promote gastric fluid secretion and is suitable for conditions such as fluid injury due to heat-related diseases and insufficient stomach yin.
4. Improving Sleep Quality
Dendrobium has a calming effect and can alleviate insomnia, anxiety, and other issues caused by excessive stress. Drinking Dendrobium-infused water helps improve sleep quality, making it easier to enter a deep sleep state and achieve adequate rest.
5. Promoting Digestion
The active ingredients in Dendrobium can promote gastric juice secretion, accelerate food digestion, and relieve symptoms such as indigestion and stomach distension. Drinking Dendrobium-infused water can help regulate spleen and stomach weakness and loss of appetite.
However, note that special populations such as pregnant women, individuals with excessive cold-dampness, and those with yang deficiency and cold constitution should use it cautiously, under the guidance of a qualified physician or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. At the same time, excessive consumption of Dendrobium may lead to excessive internal coldness, causing discomfort symptoms such as spleen and stomach cold deficiency.