Buzz
Commonly found in Vietnam, this type of plant thrives in shrubby hills, sparse forests, or forest edges, stretching from north to south, especially prominent in Binh Phuoc and some northern mountainous provinces.
The An Xoa plant is a shrub reaching heights of 1m to 3m, with cylindrical branches covered in hair. Its leaves are oval-shaped, ranging from 5cm to 17cm in length and 2.5cm to 7.5cm in width. The underside of the leaves is white, and both sides are star-shaped hairy. Its flowers are pink or red, with notches at the base, consisting of 5 petals, and red veins on the base. Each petal contains 25 – 30 stamens. The fruit capsule is cylindrical with numerous seeds. Fruit ripening occurs from July to November.
The An Xoa plant belongs to the genus Helicteres in the Parasolaceae family. (Source: Internet)How many types of An Xoa plants are there?
An Xoa plants typically come in two common varieties:
- Purple Flowered An Xoa: This type features small, tapering leaves with thick, serrated edges. Its flowers grow closely to the leaf axils and are purple in color. The fruit of the purple-flowered An Xoa resembles a caterpillar, causing intense itching upon contact. This variety is known for its effectiveness in treating liver diseases.
- White Flowered An Xoa: These plants have rounded leaves, twice the size of the leaves of the purple-flowered variety. Both sides of the leaves are smooth, and the flowers are opaque white. Unlike the purple-flowered variety, the white-flowered An Xoa does not possess medicinal properties for liver ailments.
There are two common types of An Xoa plants: purple-flowered and white-flowered. (Source: Internet)Does the An Xoa plant treat liver diseases?
In traditional Chinese medicine, this is a precious herb with numerous benefits, especially for treating liver-related conditions. Research and practical evidence demonstrate that the anxoa tree remarkably enhances liver health, notably:
Supports liver cancer treatment
Studies suggest that using a herbal concoction containing approximately 100 grams of anxoa tree extract boiled with 1.5 liters of water until reduced to about 800ml and consumed 20 minutes after meals can slow down the growth of liver tumors. Additionally, this remedy can be used for liver protection and antioxidation purposes in individuals without the disease. Initially, some discomfort may occur, but symptoms typically diminish after around 10 days of use.
Assists in treating hepatitis B
Similar to the bitter melon vine, the anxoa tree also works wonders for the liver. You can combine 50 grams of anxoa with 30 grams of bitter melon vine and 10 grams of honeysuckle extract. Boil them together with 1.5 liters of water until reduced to 700ml, and the concoction can be consumed to treat hepatitis B, taking it three times a day like regular drinking water.
Supports treatment of cirrhosis
Moreover, anxoa can be effectively used as a medicinal herb to treat cirrhosis. Patients may experience some side effects such as frequent urination, loose stools, and increased appetite. However, do not worry excessively, as these are positive reactions indicating the medication is beginning to detoxify the liver. The medicinal formula consists of 50 grams of anxoa stem and leaves, 30 grams of bitter melon vine, and 20 grams of Andrographis paniculata boiled in 1.5 liters of water over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes. It is recommended to drink a glass after each meal for effective treatment of cirrhosis.
This is a valuable medicinal herb for treating liver function-related diseases (Source: Internet)Supports liver cooling and detoxification
The liver is an internal organ responsible for detoxifying the body. When the liver overheats, its detoxification function diminishes, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, jaundice, etc. Additionally, toxic substances from the environment, food, alcohol, tobacco, etc., can accumulate in the liver, causing liver damage and increasing liver enzymes. Using the anxoa tree helps cool the liver, eliminate toxins from the body, thereby reducing liver enzymes.
Other benefits of the anxoa tree
In addition to treating liver-related diseases, the anxoa tree has many other benefits such as:
Enhances sleep quality
Apart from liver treatment, using a herbal remedy containing anxoa also promotes relaxation, soothes nerves, treats insomnia, or reduces restless sleep.
Body cooling properties
Due to its detoxifying effects, consuming a herbal drink with anxoa purifies and cools the body. Especially for those with frequent yellow urine, pale skin, loss of appetite, fatigue, and acne-prone areas on the face and back, this remedy also helps alleviate these symptoms.
Supports weight loss process
One of the unique benefits of the anxoa tree is its support for the weight loss process. This is because the tree has a mild laxative property that helps balance metabolism. Consequently, the body expels excess fat, leading to effective belly fat reduction and safe weight loss within a short period of use, as it is a benign plant.
Reduces back pain and fatigue
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, reducing swelling in joint inflammation, the herbal remedy extracted from the anxoa tree also helps alleviate back pain and joint fatigue, promoting overall physical well-being.
The anxoa tree has the effects of enhancing sleep, cooling the body, aiding weight loss, and relieving pain (Source: Internet)Side effects of the anxoa tree
Although it is a benign plant, it can cause some side effects if not used correctly or when used for the first time. Common side effects include:
- Discomfort in the abdomen, irritation, diarrhea: These are normal phenomena and can be considered positive signs, as they indicate the body is detoxifying and expelling toxins.
- Itchy throat: Due to inadequate processing, the plant's hairs may still be present and can cause throat irritation when consumed. In this case, immediate medical attention is necessary for advice and treatment.
- Dizziness and blurred vision: This condition often occurs when you have low blood pressure. It's essential to consult a doctor, especially for those with low blood pressure conditions.
The side effects of the hairy plant include blurred vision and dizziness (Source: Internet)What should you avoid eating when using anxoa?
Although the anxoa tree is benign, it has a cooling nature. Therefore, you should avoid certain cold foods such as crab, snail, spinach, raw vegetables, morning glory, buffalo meat, etc., to achieve the best results. Additionally, you should refrain from consuming certain beverages and foods containing stimulants such as coffee, green tea, milk, and herbal teas. This is because the plant contains various chemical components that may interact with tea and coffee to form new chemical compounds. Consequently, it can cause poisoning or interfere with drug absorption, reducing the effectiveness of the herbal remedy in treating illnesses.
Some types of food to avoid while using anxoa herbal remedies (Source: Internet)Precautions when using the anxoa tree
Regardless of whether using pharmaceuticals or herbal remedies, it's essential to seek permission and advice from specialists, doctors. Never self-medicate, as it may cause adverse reactions, and the anxoa tree remedy is no exception. Some precautions before using this remedy:
- Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women: While the hairy plant remedy offers many fantastic benefits, it may still have some side effects, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Not suitable for individuals with allergies: Furthermore, if you experience allergic symptoms to herbs or any component, seek medical attention promptly.
- Avoid concurrent use with Western medicine: The ingredients of the medicine may chemically react with each other, diminishing the effectiveness of the medication. Therefore, if using both Western medicine and anxoa-based medication, separate them by at least 30 minutes.
- Cleanse the hairs thoroughly: The plant has a thin layer of hair, so if not processed properly, it may cause throat irritation.
- Be cautious when purchasing anxoa: Currently, there are many types of wild plants that resemble anxoa, making it easy to confuse or deceive when buying. Therefore, choose a reputable place to buy anxoa with guidance from a doctor.
Some precautions when using anxoa herbal remedies (Source: Internet)Frequently Asked Questions
According to specialists, if you're generally healthy, you shouldn't consume the anxoa tree.
Although anxoa doesn't directly treat stomach ulcers, it doesn't irritate the mucous membrane, so patients with stomach ulcers can use anxoa-based medication as directed by a doctor.
Here are the relevant information regarding the anxoa tree and its uses, as well as the correct usage of herbal remedies sent to you by Mytour. In general, the tree has many benefits in treating liver-related diseases and functions, and also helps treat many other conditions.
