So, in my first post where I introduced myself I wrote how I will be posting about natural remedies for things that we just cant seem to shake off!
We humans by nature always try to find an easy way to get around anything, that is why so many of us rather turn to all kinds of pharmaceutical products because we keep getting assured it is much better and efficient than just using herbal medicine, especially when we would have to harvest it ourselves (which is not the case here if you do not live in Asia).
Today I will talk about a plant that isn't that well known in this day and age, which is kind of weird judging from the fact that the majority of the world consumes alcohol on a steady basis.
If you ask my opinion I myself gave it up a long time ago, but I know that is not the case for the most of us!
Anyways, the plant I am going to talk about today is Hovenia Dulcis.
(Author: A. Barra - source: https://plantlust.com)
(Author: Mauro Guanandi - source: https://plantlust.com)
Hovenia Dulcis is also called the Japanese Raisin Tree, it is native to Asia, Eastern China and the Himalayas.
It usually grows to around 10 to 30 meters tall and the leaves are big and pointy.
The trees grow small cream coloured hemaphroditic flowers usually around June and July.
The fruit is edible.
The tiny and fleshy stems of the fruits are sweet and are edible raw and cooked.
An extract could be made from the seeds which could be used as a substitute for honey.
The main part or substance we are interested in is called dihydromyricetin, or DHM for short.
DHM is present troughout the tree, there are extracts available but I personally always prefer teas over extracts as they seem more natural.
DHM is a flavonoid.
Flavonoids are a class of plant and fungus secondary metabolites.
DHM is from the flavonol class of flavonoids.
As noted in the title, hovenia dulcis tea is reported to be a great remedy for hangovers because of the active ingredient DHM.
People have reported that after drinking hovenia dulcis tea they're motivation and concentration improved and that the effects of a hangover have been greatly decreased (headaches, nausea, vomiting and anxiety).
The primary side effect of the use of hovenia dulcis extracts and teas would be the overconfidence in an alcohol consumer.
It must be noted that hovenia dulcis does not give the user the ability to drink more or to lessen they're reduced motorical skills.
I hope that I have explained all of the important aspects of the tree and the effects and side effects of the ingestion of the same.
If anybody has any questions regarding hovenia dulcis feel free to comment below and i will do my best to give you the most precise answer.
Have a nice day and stay safe! :)