Hawthorn, Chenpi (dried tangerine peel), and Sichuan pepper are all medicinal and edible ingredients. Brewing these three together can effectively regulate common modern issues like spleen-stomach deficiency-cold and food accumulation. Below are the three core benefits of this combination.
1. Warming the Middle and Warming the Stomach
Sichuan pepper excels at warming the middle, dispersing cold, and relieving pain, while Chenpi is good at regulating Qi and strengthening the spleen. The combination significantly enhances the Yang Qi in the body and is effective for relieving cold pain in the abdomen, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by spleen-stomach deficiency-cold.
2. Improving Indigestion
Hawthorn has excellent digestive and accumulation-removing properties. Combined with Chenpi's Qi-regulating ability and Sichuan pepper's power to warm the middle and disperse cold, this combination can effectively address abdominal pain, bloating, loss of appetite, and acid belching caused by food stagnation and cold.
3. Regulating Qi and Relieving Pain
Chenpi primarily focuses on regulating Qi, hawthorn assists in activating blood and removing stasis, and Sichuan pepper can warm Yang and disperse cold. This pairing helps clear the flow of Qi in the chest and abdomen, providing auxiliary relief for symptoms like chest tightness, bloating, palpitations, and shortness of breath caused by Heart-Yang deficiency.
Consumption Suggestions and Contraindications
While Hawthorn, Chenpi, and Sichuan pepper water is highly beneficial for gastrointestinal health, it is not suitable for everyone:
- Suitable Population: Especially suitable for those with indigestion and stomach cold pain caused by catching a chill or a deficiency-cold constitution.
- Contraindicated Population: Since both Sichuan pepper and Chenpi are warm and heating, people with excess heat symptoms (such as dry mouth, bitter taste, sore throat, or swollen gums) should avoid consumption to prevent worsening the internal heat.
In summary, moderate consumption of Hawthorn, Chenpi, and Sichuan pepper water can serve as a simple and effective way to regulate the spleen and stomach daily, but one should confirm their constitution by observing symptoms before drinking.