Cassia seed is the dried mature seed of the annual leguminous herb Cassia obtusifolia or Cassia tora. Because it is an herbal medicine, it possesses several benefits that aid the human body. Many people enjoy brewing cassia seeds to drink, but do you know the efficacy and functions of cassia seed tea? Below, China Eat Network tells you about the efficacy and functions of cassia seed tea.

I. Efficacy and Functions of Cassia Seed Tea

Cassia seed is the dried mature seed of the annual leguminous herb Cassia obtusifolia or Cassia tora. Cassia seed is also called Cao Jueming, Yang Ming, Yang Jiao, Horse Hoof Jueming, Huan Tong Zi, Gou Shi Dou, Fake Mung Bean, Ma Ti Zi, Qian Li Guang, Qin Jue, Yang Jiao Dou, Ye Qing Dou, Zhu Gu Ming, Zhu Shi Lan Dou, Xi Ye Zhu Shi Dou, Ye La Zi, Yang Wei Dou. It has a bitter and sweet taste and a cool nature, with functions such as clearing liver fire, dispelling wind-dampness, and benefiting the kidneys to improve eyesight.

1. Lowers Blood Lipids

A decoction or powder of cassia seeds fed to rats at 6g per rat for 8 weeks can reduce plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in experimental hyperlipidemia rats, and also lower triglyceride content in the liver.

2. Antifungal

Using the tube dilution method, the water infusion at 1:20 inhibits Microsporum audouinii, and at 1:10 inhibits Trichophyton schoenleinii and Microsporum gypseum.

3. Resists Computer Radiation

Regularly drinking cassia seed tea can protect the optic nerve, especially for white-collar workers and office employees who often sit in front of computers, by protecting eyesight and resisting radiation.

4. Inhibits Platelet Aggregation

A decoction or powder of cassia seeds fed to rats at 6g/kg for 8 weeks inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation in rats.

5. Softens Blood Vessels

For patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis, it softens blood vessels and reduces the incidence of myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction.

6. Clears Liver and Improves Eyesight

For conditions such as red, swollen, and painful eyes, photophobia, excessive tearing, and blurred vision caused by upward rising of liver heat, as well as glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis.

7. Antibacterial Effect

The alcohol extract of cassia seeds inhibits Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, and Escherichia coli, while the water extract is ineffective.

8. Clears Intestines and Relieves Constipation

For frequent constipation, it promotes smooth bowel movements without causing loose stools or abdominal pain. It is safe for long-term use by patients with chronic constipation.

9. Lowers Blood Pressure

Water infusions and alcohol extracts have a blood pressure-lowering effect on anesthetized dogs, cats, and rabbits.

II. Methods of Consuming Cassia Seed Tea

1. Wolfberry and Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum has the effect of reducing liver fire and improving eyesight, but because it is cold in nature, wolfberry is added to balance its properties. For those who have excessive internal heat, wolfberry can be omitted to enhance the heat-reducing effect.

2. Cassia Seed Green Tea

Ingredients: 5g each of cassia seeds and green tea.

Preparation: Stir-fry the cassia seeds over low heat until fragrant, then let cool. Place the fried cassia seeds and green tea in a cup, pour in boiling water, and steep for 3-5 minutes before drinking. Refill with water as needed until the flavor fades.

Efficacy: This tea is cool and moistening to the throat with a pleasant taste. It has the effects of clearing heat and calming the liver, lowering blood lipids and blood pressure, moistening the intestines to relieve constipation, and improving eyesight.

3. Cassia Seed Tea

Ingredients: Cassia seed tea

Method: Brew with hot water.

Efficacy: Clears the liver and improves eyesight, promotes diuresis and relieves constipation.

Cassia seeds also have the effect of improving eyesight and detoxifying, and are said to be a holy product for weight loss. In addition, cassia seeds have the effect of removing dampness. The tea tastes slightly sour, but the flavor is quite good.

III. Side Effects of Cassia Seeds

Cassia seeds are slightly cold in nature. People prone to diarrhea, stomach pain, or with low blood pressure should not drink this tea. It is important to note: those with diarrhea or low blood pressure should use cassia seed preparations with caution. Its side effect of "promoting discharge" must be taken seriously by pregnant women. Recent research has found that long-term consumption can lead to irregular menstruation or, more severely, abnormal endometrium, potentially inducing premature birth.

If you read in a book or heard from someone that cassia seeds can treat nearsightedness, you are greatly mistaken. This herb does have the effect of clearing the liver and improving eyesight, so it is more suitable for those with excessive liver fire or heat signs. It absolutely must not be consumed by those without obvious heat signs and with loose stools. There are many herbs in traditional Chinese medicine that can improve eyesight, such as Plantago seeds, wolfberry, Dendrobium, Cuscuta seeds, pearl shell, chrysanthemum, cicada slough, abalone shell, Tribulus terrestris, ash bark, etc., too numerous to list. Specific medication needs to be combined with TCM syndrome differentiation and cannot be used blindly across the board. This is the biggest difference between using Chinese medicine and Western medicine.

The biggest side effect of cassia seeds (Cao Jueming) is likely promoting bowel movements and smoothing the intestines. Generally, there are no other issues, but it is not suitable for those with qi deficiency and loose stools. This medicine does have a good weight loss effect and can also be combined with raw hawthorn to enhance its weight loss power, which is also very good.

IV. It's Best to Avoid Four Time Periods for Drinking Tea

1. Before Bed

Substances like theophylline in tea, after being absorbed by the body, have a significant stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Drinking tea can cause mental excitement, affect sleep, and even lead to insomnia, especially freshly picked green tea, which has a more pronounced effect. Moreover, tea has a diuretic effect. Elderly people drinking tea before bed are also prone to frequent nighttime urination, affecting sleep quality.

2. During Medication

Some elderly people with chronic diseases require long-term medication, and many drugs should not be taken with tea. For example, sedative and sleep-aid drugs, anti-arrhythmic drugs, etc. Theophylline can reduce the analgesic effect of some drugs, so it is also not advisable to drink tea when taking painkillers.

3. On an Empty Stomach

Because tea leaves contain alkaloids such as caffeine, drinking tea on an empty stomach can easily lead to excessive absorption of caffeine by the intestines, causing hyperactive symptoms in some people, such as palpitations, dizziness, weakness in hands and feet, and mental confusion. People who do not often drink tea, especially drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning, are more likely to experience these symptoms. This is called "tea drunkenness." Once tea drunkenness occurs, it can be relieved by sucking on candy or drinking some sugar water. Compared to young people, the elderly have more fragile stomachs. Middle-aged and elderly people with gastric or duodenal ulcers should not drink tea on an empty stomach, especially strong tea. Excessive tannic acid can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, worsening the condition, and some may even cause indigestion or constipation.

4. When Drunk

Tea has a stimulating effect on the nerve center. Drinking strong tea after intoxication increases the burden on the heart. For the elderly with relatively poor heart and kidney function, drinking large amounts of strong tea after alcohol consumption is particularly inadvisable. Methods such as eating a large amount of fruit or taking small sips of vinegar can be used to speed up the body's metabolism and relieve intoxication.