Watermelon Rind and Banana Peel Tea

Category: Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea Name: Watermelon Rind and Banana Peel Tea

Chinese Name: 西瓜皮香蕉皮茶

Formula

100 grams of watermelon rind (fresh), 100 grams of banana peel (with stem), and 10 grams of rock sugar.

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Wash the watermelon rind and cut it into 1-centimeter squares; wash the banana peels (with stems attached), chop them finely, and place them in a clay pot with the watermelon rind pieces. Add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain through clean cheesecloth to remove the solids, return the liquid to the clay pot, and continue simmering over low heat. Add rock sugar, stir until dissolved, and mix well.

Efficacy

Clears heat, relieves restlessness, promotes urination, and lowers blood pressure. Suitable for acute and chronic nephritis accompanied by edema, difficulty urinating, and hypertension.

Usage

Drink as a tea substitute or beverage, taking it in the morning and evening.

Commentary

Taking watermelon rind (Xi-gua-pi) as the leading herb, the formula draws on its sweet, bland flavor and cool property: its action follows the Heart, Stomach, Bladder meridians and works to clear summer heat, generate fluids and promote urination. Banana peel serves as the deputy herb. Finally, rock sugar (Bing-tang) plays the envoy role, unifying the formula; its role is to moisten the lung and harmonize the formula and coordinate the herbs. Taken together these herbs clear heat, relieve restlessness, promote urination, lower blood pressure, in keeping with the chronic nephritis pattern.

Watermelon Rind and Banana Peel Tea，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Clears heat, relieves restlessness, promotes urination, and lowers blood pressure. Suitable for acute and chronic nephritis accompanied by edema, difficulty urinating, and hypertension.

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