Taiwanese actress Zhang Junning is also a fan of using tree sap, which is considered her beauty and health “secret weapon.”
Zhang Junning uses tree sap to combat aging.
Tree Sap – The Beauty “Superfood” for Women
Tree sap is a thick, dark yellow liquid with a sticky consistency, exuded from the trunk and branches of certain trees, eventually hardening and resembling amber. In traditional Chinese medicine, tree sap is known as “peach resin” and is believed to offer various health and beauty benefits. In China, it is poetically referred to as the “tears of the peach tree.”
Michelin Guide compares tree sap to bird’s nest, a delicacy, stating that it offers similar benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Tree sap is a sticky substance exuded from certain trees. (Illustrative image)
Chinese traditional medicine doctor Zhang Hongming explains that tree sap can moisturize, detoxify, and enhance one’s complexion. He attributes these benefits to the high fiber content in tree sap, which aids digestion and detoxification, ultimately contributing to maintaining beautiful skin.
Western medicine has identified polysaccharides as the primary active compound in tree sap, known for their anti-aging properties and ability to boost the immune system, regulate blood sugar, and balance lipids.
A recent study highlighted that polysaccharides in tree sap can protect the skin from UVB-induced aging. Additionally, including polysaccharides in one’s diet can prevent photochemical and oxidative stress caused by UVB rays. This is particularly relevant as direct and prolonged sun exposure contributes to loss of skin elasticity, increased pigmentation, and wrinkle formation.
The same study mentioned other benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties, wound healing, and improved skin hydration. These characteristics are advantageous for sensitive or acne-prone skin, reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation. In traditional Chinese medicine, tree sap has been used to treat minor cuts, burns, and scratches as a natural and effective remedy for skin ailments.
Is Eating a Bowl of Tree Sap Equivalent to Applying 30 Face Masks?
Social media claims that tree sap is rich in collagen, and consuming a bowl of it is equivalent to applying 30 face masks. However, this information is misleading.
Tree sap does not contain collagen but is rich in polysaccharides, which help prevent skin aging. (Illustrative image)
Collagen is an animal protein, and tree sap, being plant-based, does not contain it. The plant proteins in tree sap cannot directly supplement collagen in the human body. Instead, adequate protein intake from a balanced diet, combined with vitamin C from other food sources, can promote the body’s natural collagen synthesis.
Tree sap helps slow down the degradation and loss of collagen, which is the most abundant protein in our bodies and a key component of skin, bones, and muscles. Collagen provides strength and elasticity to our skin, replaces dead skin cells, and facilitates the growth of new ones.
Who Should Avoid Consuming Tree Sap?
Despite its potential beauty benefits, tree sap is not recommended for individuals with digestive issues and pregnant women. Some sources indicate that tree sap can promote blood flow and remove blood stasis, which is why pregnant women are advised to refrain from consuming it.
Additionally, it is important not to overuse tree sap as it can be challenging to digest.
2 Beauty Recipes Using Tree Sap
The following recipes incorporate ingredients beneficial for the skin, providing hydration, brightening, and anti-aging effects.
1. Tree Sap with Snow Fungus
Ingredients: 20g tree sap, 40g snow fungus, a moderate amount of jujubes, and a small amount of rock sugar.
Instructions: Wash the tree sap and soak it overnight, then rinse again. Clean the snow fungus, soak it for 2 hours, and tear it into pieces. Put the tree sap and snow fungus in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Add the cleaned jujubes and rock sugar, and simmer over low heat for about an hour.
2. Tree Sap, Longan, and Lotus Seed Dessert
Ingredients: 15g tree sap, 15g longan flesh, 15g lotus seeds, 1000ml water, and appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Instructions: Wash and soak the tree sap overnight, then rinse again. Boil the lotus seeds until soft. Put the tree sap in a pot of boiling water and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the cooked longan and lotus seeds, along with the rock sugar, and cook for another 3 minutes.
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