Can cloves be steeped in water for consumption?

Apr 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

In general, cloves can be consumed as an herbal infusion, but should be taken in accordance with medical advice and in appropriate amounts. Clove is a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, warm in nature and pungent in taste, entering the spleen, stomach, lung, and kidney meridians. It has functions of warming the middle jiao, directing downward rebellious qi, nourishing kidney yin, and enhancing yang energy. Drinking clove-infused water may help regulate conditions such as deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach and insufficient kidney yang, offering effects including warming the middle jiao to dispel cold, lowering rebellious qi to stop vomiting, and improving digestive function.

Generally speaking, cloves can be consumed as an infusion, but it should be taken according to medical advice and in appropriate amounts. Detailed explanations are as follows:

Cloves are a commonly used traditional Chinese herb. They are warm in nature and have a pungent taste, influencing the spleen, stomach, lung, and kidney meridians. Cloves can help warm the middle jiao, relieve counterflow, nourish kidney-yang, and enhance yang energy. Drinking clove-infused water may help regulate symptoms such as deficiency cold of the spleen and stomach and kidney-yang insufficiency, including warming the body to dispel cold, reducing vomiting caused by rebellious stomach energy, and improving digestive function.

However, it is important to consume cloves in moderation. Excessive intake may lead to poisoning symptoms such as respiratory depression, drowsiness, and vomiting. Therefore, when using cloves to make infusion, strictly follow medical advice regarding dosage and avoid increasing the dosage on your own. The water temperature used for steeping should not be too high to prevent destruction of active ingredients. It is generally recommended to use water around 80°C. The infusion time should not be too long to prevent excessive dissipation of aroma and changes in its composition.

Pregnant women, nursing mothers, individuals with allergic constitutions, and patients with yin deficiency and excessive internal heat or obvious heat syndromes should avoid drinking clove-infused water to prevent aggravation of the condition or adverse reactions. As cloves are warming in nature, they should not be consumed continuously for prolonged periods; short-term regulation is usually sufficient. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention promptly.

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"Pópoding" usually refers to dandelion. Drying dandelion and steeping it in water is a common health practice, with core benefits including clearing heat and detoxifying the body, promoting urination to reduce swelling, relieving sore throat, aiding digestion, and inhibiting bacteria and inflammation. However, precautions and contraindications should be observed when consuming it. Because of its bitter and cold nature, individuals with deficiency and cold in the spleen and stomach or those prone to diarrhea should consume it in moderation and avoid long-term or excessive intake.