Can Scutellaria baicalensis be steeped in water for consumption?
Apr 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, Scutellaria (Huang Qin) can be steeped in water for consumption, but it should be taken in moderation. Scutellaria is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb that has functions including clearing heat and detoxifying, anti-inflammatory effects, stopping bleeding, and stabilizing pregnancy. Steeping Scutellaria in hot water to make a tea effectively extracts its active components, helping the body eliminate toxins and enhance immunity. Drinking Scutellaria tea is suitable for conditions involving damp-heat in the body, lung heat with cough, and sore throat.
Generally, Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin) can be consumed as a tea, but it should be taken in moderation. Detailed explanations are as follows:
Scutellaria baicalensis is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb that has effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, anti-inflammation, stopping bleeding, and calming the fetus. Brewing it in boiling water to make tea effectively extracts its active ingredients, helping the body eliminate toxins and enhance immunity. Drinking Huang Qin tea is suitable for individuals experiencing symptoms such as internal damp-heat, lung heat with cough, sore throat, and mouth ulcers.
However, please note that the medicinal effects of Huang Qin are relatively strong, and long-term or excessive consumption may irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is recommended to consume it in moderation and under the guidance of a physician or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Individuals with spleen and stomach cold deficiency, pregnant women, or those currently taking other medications should use Huang Qin tea cautiously. Particularly for pregnant women, Huang Qin may increase the risk of miscarriage due to its blood-activating and stasis-resolving properties.
Glycoside components in Huang Qin may be degraded by vitamin C, thus affecting its therapeutic effectiveness. Therefore, vitamin C should be avoided during the consumption of Huang Qin. If any adverse reactions occur during use, discontinue immediately and seek medical advice. Meanwhile, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and a balanced diet can help improve overall health.
