Alright, so I’ve been messing around with Ze Xie, that Chinese herb, also known as Alisma Rhizome, or Water Plantain Tuber. Heard it was good for something, so I figured, why not give it a shot? Here’s the lowdown on my little experiment.
First off, I actually went out and found some. Not the easiest thing to do, mind you. I live in a city, not exactly prime water plantain habitat. Ended up ordering it online from some herbal shop. When it finally arrived, it looked like dried up slices of… something. Earthy smell, kinda like dirt but not unpleasant.
The big thing I was trying to tackle was water retention. I’ve been feeling bloated and sluggish lately, and I remembered reading somewhere that Ze Xie was supposed to help with that. Something about “clearing dampness” and “promoting diuresis.” Sounded like my kind of thing.
So, I started brewing it into a tea. I took about a tablespoon of the dried Ze Xie, threw it into a pot with a couple cups of water, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. The tea turned a sort of brownish color, and that earthy smell got stronger. Not gonna lie, the first sip was… interesting. Not exactly delicious, kind of bitter and a little musty. But hey, no pain, no gain, right?
I kept at it for about a week, drinking a cup of Ze Xie tea every morning. I will say, I definitely started peeing more. Like, a lot more. Whether it was the Ze Xie or just me drinking more fluids, I can’t say for sure, but something was happening. I also felt a little less bloated, maybe a placebo, maybe not. Who knows?
I also tried adding it to my soups. Just tossed in a few slices of the dried stuff while I was cooking. It didn’t really change the flavor much, but I figured it couldn’t hurt. It probably soften after boiling in the soup for a while.
One thing I did notice was that it seemed to affect my digestion a bit. Nothing major, but things were moving along… a little quicker than usual, if you catch my drift. So, definitely something to keep in mind if you decide to try this out yourself.
Now, I’m no doctor or herbalist or anything, so take all this with a grain of salt. But from my experience, Ze Xie did seem to have some effect on water retention and digestion. Whether it’s a miracle cure? Probably not. But it might be worth a try if you’re looking for something to help with bloating or sluggishness. Just be prepared for a lot of trips to the bathroom!
Important disclaimer: I’m just sharing my personal experience. Always talk to your doctor before trying any new herbal remedies, especially if you have any existing health conditions or are taking medication. Don’t be an idiot!
- Finding Ze Xie: Online herbal shops are your best bet.
- Brewing Tea: Simmer a tablespoon in a couple cups of water for 20 minutes.
- Taste: Earthy and bitter.
- Effects: Increased urination, possible digestive changes.
- Don’t be stupid: Talk to your doctor first!
