3 Natural Drinks to Reduce Edema
1: Red Bean Water
Red beans are known to tonify blood and qi, helping to eliminate edema. They are especially beneficial for those prone to iron deficiency. It’s important to note that only the water of the red beans should be consumed, without adding any sugar.

2: Barley Water
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, barley has diuretic properties and helps reduce swelling. It also strengthens the spleen and eliminates dampness. Drinking barley water instead of tea can promote urination and reduce edema. This is especially beneficial for those seeking skin whitening and prone to lower body edema.
It’s important to drink only the clear barley water and not consume the barley itself. The daily intake of sugar should not exceed 700cc. Herbal remedies with cold properties are not suitable for those with weak physiques, pregnant women, or those with physiological illnesses.
3: Black Bean Water
Black beans are considered highly beneficial in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They not only nourish the kidneys and supplement qi but also help eliminate dampness and act as a diuretic. Drinking black bean water is a great way to boost energy, especially for those prone to mental fatigue.
However, it’s important to note that black bean water should not be used to improve edema caused by chronic kidney, heart, or liver diseases. Additionally, pregnant women and those with poor digestion should refrain from consuming it.
Massage Techniques to Reduce Edema
1. Facial Massage
Edema is often noticeable on the face. To reduce facial edema, apply essential oils or cream to your face and use your fingertips or a stone to massage. Starting from the center of your face, massage outwards and upwards, then gently press from behind your ears to your temples and finally to the Yifeng point behind your ears. Finish by following the lymphatic path down to your collarbone.
2. Foot Reflexology Massage
If you’re experiencing lower body edema, don’t worry. You can press the Yongquan, Sanyinjiao, and Neiting acupoints to help eliminate edema. Hold each point for 5 seconds and relax for 1 second, or massage each point 10 times and relax for 2 seconds. Massage for a total of 2 to 3 minutes.
Yongquan (Bubbling Spring) Point: Curl your toes and feet, and the indentation that forms at the front of the foot, one-third of the distance from the tip of the foot to the ankle, is the location of this point.
Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Intersection) Point: Located on the inner calf, three finger widths above the upper edge of the inner ankle bone, in the depression on the medial malleolus of the tibia, just above the ankle.
Neiting (Inner Court) Point: Located on the inner calf, in the depression on the medial malleolus of the tibia, below the knee. You can find it by running your finger along the inner edge of the tibia and locating the most prominent bony protrusion.
Locations of the Yongquan, Sanyinjiao, and Neiting points (from left to right).
The Secret to Cixi’s Eternal Youth: A Daily Dose of a Familiar Vietnamese Delicacy
“Cixi, the formidable Empress Dowager, was renowned for her intelligence and wit, but what truly astonished people was her seemingly ageless beauty, even at the age of 70. Her secret, it turns out, was deceptively simple: a daily indulgence in a delicacy familiar to the Vietnamese. This humble dish held the key to her timeless appearance, a testament to the power of consistent, thoughtful choices in one’s daily routine.”