Buddha's hand fruit - A good remedy for digestive problems.

After the Lunar New Year, many people don't know what to do with Buddha's hand fruit or use it indiscriminately, leading to waste. In fact, it's a medicinal herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Buddha's hand fruit, also known as the "hand of Buddha" or "fortune-longevity-orange," carries spiritual significance and symbolizes good fortune. Its bright, beautiful color and fragrant aroma make it a prominent addition to the five-fruit offering on the ancestral altar during Tet (Vietnamese New Year). After Tet, many people are unsure what to do with the Buddha's hand fruit or use it indiscriminately, leading to waste. In fact, the Buddha's hand fruit is a medicinal ingredient widely used in traditional Eastern medicine.

The Buddha's hand citron tree has the scientific name Citrus medica var. sarcodactilis (Noot) Swingle. It belongs to the citrus family (Rutaceae). For medicinal purposes, the Buddha's hand citron fruit must be harvested when the peel is still green or yellowish, sliced ​​lengthwise, dried (Buddha's hand citron slices), and stored in a sealed container.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Buddha's hand citron is warm in nature, with a pungent, bitter, and sour taste. It acts on the spleen and lung meridians. Its functions include regulating the body's qi, harmonizing the middle, strengthening the stomach, relieving cough, and loosening phlegm. The daily dose is 3-6g in powder or decoction form. It is primarily used to treat liver and stomach diseases, chest tightness, shortness of breath, bloating, nausea, poor digestion, and excessive phlegm. The stem, leaves, and peel of the Buddha's hand citron all contain essential oils and active compounds such as lisnonoid and hesperosid; many vitamins B1, B6, B12, C, E; and minerals such as zinc, calcium, iron, and selenium.

Buddha's hand fruit is also known as "Buddha's hand fruit".

Some medicinal remedies contain Buddha's hand fruit.

Gastrointestinal diseases

For loss of appetite, indigestion, chest and rib pain, nausea, excessive phlegm, and back pain: take 30g of Buddha's hand fruit and 5 liters of alcohol. Chop the Buddha's hand fruit into small pieces, drain the water, and soak in the alcohol. Every 5 days, you can take it out and drink 15-20ml before dinner.

To treat poor digestion and indigestion: thinly slice 50g of Buddha's hand fruit and air-dry it; add 12g of Sichuan pepper, 12g of cardamom, and 12g of fennel seeds. Grind all ingredients into a powder, mix with warm boiled water, and drink twice a day.

To strengthen the spleen and aid digestion: 15g of rice, 100g of rock sugar. Boil the Buddha's hand fruit to extract the juice, then use it to cook porridge and eat it every morning.

Stomach ache due to cold: 15g dried Buddha's hand fruit, 30g roasted rice. Boil and drink three times a day.

Belching: Chew small pieces of fresh Buddha's hand fruit peel, marinated in sugar, and swallow.

Gastric and duodenal ulcers: Cook 30g of Buddha's hand root with a sufficient amount of pig's stomach until done and eat.

To treat liver and stomach pain: boil 10g of fresh Buddha's hand fruit and 6g of tangerine peel in water and drink the decoction. Alternatively, boil 10g of Buddha's hand flowers, 10g of Cyperus rotundus, 6g of Angelica dahurica, 15g of Amomum villosum, 15g of Paeonia lactiflora, and 3g of licorice in water and drink the decoction.

Respiratory diseases

To treat coughs, asthma, excessive phlegm, and shortness of breath: 9-15g of Buddha's hand fruit, 5-9g of ginger peel, and 9g of patchouli leaves. Boil these ingredients in water and drink the decoction.

Tonsillitis: 10g of Buddha's hand flower, 10g of rose petals, 10g of crape myrtle flowers, 6g of plum blossoms. Boil in water and use as a mouthwash, gargle, or drink.

Treatment for chronic bronchitis: Chop 1-2 fresh Buddha's hand fruits into small pieces and place them in a large bowl with the appropriate amount of malt sugar. Steam the mixture until the Buddha's hand fruit is soft. Consume one large spoonful at a time for 3 weeks.

In addition, Buddha's hand fruit is also used as medicine to treat several diseases:

Menstrual crampsIngredients: 30g fresh Buddha's hand fruit, 6g Angelica sinensis, 6g fresh ginger, 30g rice wine, sufficient water. Boil and drink.

Excessive vaginal discharge:30g of Buddha's hand fruit, young pig's intestines about 0.5 - 1m long. Simmer until cooked and consume within 5-7 days.

Lower digestive tract diseases (diabetes, cloudy urine, etc.)Ingredients: 15-25g of Buddha's hand root, 1 set of young pig intestines. Cook thoroughly before eating.

EpilepticTake 30g of Buddha's hand root and one cleaned young white-feathered hen, simmer until the chicken is cooked. Drink the broth and eat the chicken.

Treating hangovers30g of fresh Buddha's hand fruit. Boil in water and drink the decoction.

Note: People with excess heat or yin deficiency should not use this product.

According to Health and Life