What are the benefits of drinking blackthorn leaf tea?

VTC News•27/02/2024

Blackthorn is known as a valuable Vietnamese medicinal plant with many health benefits. So, what are the effects of drinking blackthorn leaf tea?

What is the plant known as *Xạ đen*?

The article on the Medlatec General Hospital website, with medical consultation from Dr. Duong Ngoc Van, states that the scientific name of Celastrus hindsii Benth is Celastrus hindsii Benth, also known by other names such as Bach Van Hoa, Bach Giai, and Day Goi.

This is a woody vine that clings to larger trees when growing wild, but when cultivated, its branches intertwine to form clumps. The stem of the blackthorn is round, 3-10m long, light gray and hairless when young, but turns brown and hairy as it matures, gradually turning green.

In Vietnam, the blackthorn plant grows wild in many forests of the northern mountainous regions such as Ninh Binh , Hoa Binh, Thua Thien Hue, etc. The chemical composition of this plant includes:

- Polyphenols: kaempferol 3-rutinoside, rutin, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid B.

- Triterpene and Sesquiterpene: 1b, 6a, estar agarofuran sesquiterpene, glucosyringic acid, loranthol, emarginatine E, lupenone.

- Other groups of compounds include: amino acids, tannins, and flavonoids.

What are the benefits of drinking blackthorn leaf tea?

The branches, leaves, and stems of the blackthorn plant can all be used. The leaves can be harvested at any time of year, but the branches and leaves should only be harvested when the plant is mature, as they have the highest medicinal properties then.

*Drinking black tea has many health benefits.*

An article by Traditional Medicine Practitioner Bui Dac Sang - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association, published in the Health & Life newspaper, highlighted the health benefits of black sesame:

- Supporting tumor treatment: Blackthorn contains two compounds, flavonoids and quinones, which liquefy abnormal cells. These two medicinal substances help slow the growth of tumors when they first form. Some scientific studies have proven its effectiveness in preventing and supporting the treatment of tumors. However, everything is still in the research stage.

- Supporting the treatment of hypertension: Blackthorn helps regulate unstable blood pressure. Using blackthorn to support the treatment of hypertension is also very simple; just boil the leaves with water and drink it daily, or brew it as tea and drink it every day.

- Supports treatment of hyperlipidemia and fatty liver: The use of black sesame is beneficial for people with hyperlipidemia, as evidenced by research from the Military Medical Academy. Daily consumption of a decoction made from this medicinal herb significantly improves hyperlipidemia and fatty liver conditions.

- Improves sleep and treats nervous exhaustion: Blackthorn has a slightly astringent and bitter taste, and a cooling nature. It is very effective for people who suffer from frequent insomnia due to nervous exhaustion or anemia (according to traditional Chinese medicine, a type of yin deficiency with excessive heat). In addition, it helps improve blood circulation to the brain, helping to treat dizziness and vertigo.

Some recipes for daily black tea

The Health & Life newspaper quoted Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, Chairman of the Quang Binh Traditional Medicine Association, as providing some recipes for brewing black sesame tea to drink daily as follows:

Lesson 1 - Blackthorn drink to strengthen the body and increase muscle activity in the limbs: 15g of blackthorn, 10g of Centella asiatica, boil with 2 liters of water for 10 minutes, drink throughout the day or prepare as a tea to drink throughout the day.

Lesson 2 - Blackthorn drink to treat headaches, fatigue, and sleep disorders in people with hypertension: 10g of blackthorn, 15g of *Xuyen Chi* (a type of herb), boil with 2 liters of water for 10 minutes and drink throughout the day, or prepare as a tea to drink throughout the day.

Lesson 3 - Black Galingale Drink to Aid Digestion and Improve Appetite (for Postpartum Women): 15g of black galingale and 15g of red-tipped galingale, boiled with 2 liters of water for 10 minutes, drink throughout the day or prepare as a tea to drink throughout the day.

Lesson 4 - Black Galingale Drink to Support Treatment of Atherosclerosis: 20g of black galingale, 5g of reishi mushroom, boiled with 2 liters of water for 10 minutes, drink throughout the day, or prepare as a tea to be brewed and drunk throughout the day.

Lesson 5 - Black Galingale Drink to Enhance Memory, Good for the Brain, and Treats Cerebral Anemia: Boil 10g of black galingale and 15g of honeysuckle vine in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes. Drink throughout the day, or prepare as a tea to be brewed and drunk throughout the day.

Lesson 6 - Black Galingale Drink for Irregular Menstruation: 20g of black galingale and 10g of bear's gall plant, boiled in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes, drink throughout the day, or prepare as a tea to be mixed and drunk throughout the day.

Lesson 7 - Black Galingale Drink for Constipation Treatment: 15g of black galingale and 10g of cockscomb grass are boiled in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes. Drink throughout the day, or prepare it as a tea to drink throughout the day.

Lesson 8 - Black Galingale Drink for Body Weakness and Anemia: 15g of black galingale and 10g of large-leaved ginseng are boiled in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes. Drink throughout the day, or prepare it as a tea to be brewed and drunk throughout the day.

Lesson 9 - Black Galingale Drink for Insomnia, Poor Appetite, and Supportive Treatment of Chronic Diseases: 15g of black galingale and 10g of Codonopsis pilosula root are boiled in 2 liters of water for 10 minutes. Drink throughout the day, or prepare as a tea to be brewed and consumed throughout the day.

Lesson 10 - Blackthorn drink to treat nervous exhaustion and vestibular disorders: 15g of blackthorn, 20g of *Xuyen Chi* (a type of herb), 10g of chrysanthemum, boil with 2 liters of water for 10 minutes, drink throughout the day or prepare as a tea to drink throughout the day.

Above are the health benefits of black tea. Use black tea correctly for optimal health.

Thanh Thanh (Compiled)

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