The Ochna Integerima, or the Mai Flower, is a vibrant part of Tet celebrations in Southern Vietnam, adding a splash of golden yellow – a color symbolizing prosperity and wealth – to the festive season. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Mai flower holds a special place in the cultural and medicinal traditions of the region.
The Mai Flower: A Cultural Symbol and Medicinal Treasure
According to Mr. Bui Dac Sang, a scientist at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the Mai flower is more than just a pretty blossom. It possesses valuable medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments. Sang recommends that instead of discarding the flowers after Tet, people should retain them for their potential health benefits.
The Mai flower is said to contain essential oils and compounds such as meratin, calycanthine, and carotenes. These compounds are believed to promote bile secretion and inhibit certain types of bacteria, including E. coli, dysentery bacillus, typhoid bacillus, cholera vibrio, and tuberculosis bacillus.
In traditional medicine, the flowers are considered to have a sweet and slightly bitter taste, with a warming and non-toxic nature. They are used to treat a range of conditions, including high fever, difficulty breathing, cough, sore throat, loss of appetite, and dizziness. The flowers are also believed to stimulate the appetite and enhance digestion.
The bark of the Mai tree is equally valued for its bitter taste and neutral properties. It is commonly infused in white alcohol to create a digestive stimulant. A dose of 40-60ml of this infusion, taken during meals and twice a day, is said to be effective for improving digestion and treating loss of appetite.
Here are a few traditional remedies using the Mai flower and tree suggested by Mr. Sang:
– To improve digestion and treat loss of appetite, infuse 100g of dried Mai tree bark with 1000ml of white alcohol for a week. The longer the infusion, the more effective it is. Take 20-40ml, divided into two doses, per day.
– For headache and dizziness relief, decoct 9g of Mai flowers with an appropriate amount of sea bean flowers and fresh lotus leaves. Alternatively, use a blend of 15g each of Mai flowers, white chrysanthemum flowers, and rose flowers, and infuse for a tea.
– To relieve abdominal bloating and flatulence, use 10g of Mai flowers, 10g of agarwood, and 15g of Chinese angelica, and decoct for a drink.
– To treat hiccups, combine 5g of Mai flowers, 5 pieces of pig’s ear, 3 slices of fresh ginger, and 100g of rice. Decoct the ginger and pig’s ear, discard the solids, and cook the rice into a porridge. Add the Mai flowers, boil, and consume throughout the day.
– For nausea relief, use 5g of Mai flowers and 5ml of fresh ginger juice. Infuse the flowers with boiling water in a sealed container for 20 minutes, filter, and mix with fresh ginger juice. Consume 2 doses per day for best results.
– To treat prolonged coughing, infuse 9g of Mai flowers for a tea and drink throughout the day. Alternatively, use 10g of Mai flowers, 10g of eastern knotweed, 60g of rice, and a drizzle of honey to cook a porridge, and consume in multiple servings.
In addition to its medicinal uses, the Mai flower can also be used in cooking, particularly with pork and goat meat, to create unique and nutritious dishes.
While the Mai flower offers a range of health benefits, experts advise using it in appropriate doses and recommend consulting a healthcare professional before using it for medicinal purposes.
The Ultimate Guide to Heart-Healthy and Liver-Cleansing Fruits: Unveiling the Secret Behind the Vietnamese Traditional Tray of Five Fruits
For generations, the traditional Vietnamese fruit tray has been an integral part of cultural celebrations, especially during the festive season. Beyond its spiritual significance, this vibrant display of familiar fruits also offers a wealth of nutritional benefits, particularly for cardiovascular health and liver function.
The Ultimate Guide: Why This Traditional Dish is a No-Go For Some This Tet
The bánh chưng is a traditional Vietnamese dish, often enjoyed during the Lunar New Year celebrations. However, this savory treat is not for everyone.
Should You Drink Ginger Water Every Day?
With a delicate bitterness and a slight astringency, the leaves of the vối tree offer a cooling nature that traverses the meridians of the lungs, liver, and bladder. In Traditional Oriental Medicine, these leaves are renowned for their therapeutic prowess, encompassing antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. The leaves’ magic lies in their ability to harmonize the functions of the lungs, liver, and bladder, offering a holistic approach to wellness that has been cherished for centuries.
The ‘Unusual Yet Familiar’ Fruit: From Overlooked to Sought-After Delicacy with Surprising Nutritional Value
Once a little-known wild fruit, this exotic delicacy has now become a renowned specialty, exported worldwide.
5 Surprising Health Benefits of Drinking Guava Leaf Tea
The humble guava leaf tea is a humble brew with a plethora of health benefits. This simple infusion offers a tasty treat, packed with nutrients to boost your body’s natural defenses.
