Can boiling water with Chinese chives help remove cold and dampness from the body?

Jul 22, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
In general, boiling Chinese chives (garlic chives) in water can help alleviate cold-dampness symptoms, but it should be consumed in moderation. This remedy has a mild effect on removing cold-dampness and is only suitable for cases with mild symptoms. If symptoms of cold-dampness are severe, such as prolonged joint pain or body edema, prompt medical attention is necessary. Additionally, Chinese chives are warming in nature, and excessive consumption of the water may cause heatiness (excess internal heat).

Generally, leek stalk water can help to relieve cold-dampness, but it should be used in moderation. Detailed explanation is as follows:

Leek has a warm nature and a pungent taste. Pungency helps to circulate and disperse, while warmth helps to dispel cold. It has the functions of warming the middle jiao, dispersing cold, promoting qi circulation, and relieving stagnation. When cold-dampness accumulates in the body, it often causes heaviness in the body, cold limbs, and even cold abdominal pain and diarrhea. After boiling leeks in water, their warm and dispersing properties are infused into the water. Drinking this water can, to some extent, promote blood and qi circulation, help expel internal cold pathogens, and by warming the spleen and stomach, enhance the spleen's function of transforming and transporting body fluids, thus reducing the retention of dampness in the body.

The effect of leek stalk water in dispelling cold-dampness is relatively mild and is suitable only for mild cases of cold-dampness. If symptoms of cold-dampness are severe, such as long-term joint pain or body edema, timely medical treatment should be sought. Additionally, because leek has a warm nature, excessive consumption of leek stalk water may cause heatiness, leading to symptoms such as mouth ulcers and sore throat. Therefore, intake should be controlled.

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