Can Donghancai (Winter Cold Vegetable) clear heat and remove toxins?

Aug 02, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, winter spinach (dong hanchai) may have a certain auxiliary effect in clearing heat and detoxifying, but its effectiveness is limited. It should not be solely relied upon to achieve the purpose of clearing heat and detoxification. Winter spinach is best consumed in combination with other heat-clearing ingredients such as mung beans and winter melon to better enhance its auxiliary effects. In daily life, it is advisable to maintain a light diet, drink plenty of water, and avoid excessive consumption of spicy and irritating foods.

Generally speaking, winter spinach (Malva verticillata) has a certain auxiliary effect in clearing heat and detoxifying, but its effect is limited. It should not be solely relied upon to achieve the purpose of clearing heat and detoxifying. The specific analysis is as follows:

Winter spinach is slightly cooling in nature and contains abundant water and various vitamins. From the perspective of traditional food therapy, moderate consumption may help alleviate internal heatiness and provide some relief for discomfort caused by excessive internal heat. At the same time, the dietary fiber in winter spinach can promote intestinal motility and assist in the elimination of metabolic waste, thereby helping the body maintain a refreshed state to some extent.

However, clearing heat and detoxifying is a comprehensive bodily regulation process influenced by various factors including diet, environment, and lifestyle habits. Relying solely on the consumption of winter spinach is unlikely to produce significant results. Moreover, as winter spinach is cooling in nature, excessive consumption may increase internal coldness, potentially causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, especially for individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency cold. Therefore, consumption should be appropriately controlled.

Winter spinach is best consumed together with other heat-clearing ingredients such as mung beans and winter melon to better exert its auxiliary effects. In daily life, maintaining a light diet, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding excessive intake of spicy and irritating foods are more effective ways to help the body maintain balance.

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Can Artemisia selengensis clear heat and remove toxins?

Under normal circumstances, Artemisia selengensis may have some auxiliary effect in clearing heat, but it does not have明确 heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. Consuming it in moderation as a vegetable can help supplement nutrition; however, attention should be paid to cooking methods and portion control. In daily life, if heat-clearing effects are desired, ingredients such as wax gourd (winter melon) and mung beans can be incorporated into the diet, maintaining a light diet. Relying solely on Artemisia selengensis will have limited effectiveness; a balanced diet is more beneficial for regulating overall body condition.