- What’s inside?
- How it works
- Contraindications
Chinese tea “Flying Swallow” (“Fei Yan”) appeared in our country in the late 20th century on the wave of passion for Thai pills and other extreme weight loss remedies. The reasons for the rapid weight loss during its use seemed clear. They used to say: “Drink it — and you’ll fly to the toilet like a swallow”. But apparently the new generation has grown up and decided to follow the same path their parents (and even grandmothers) once took.
What’s inside?
First, the instructions written by the manufacturer do not say anywhere that this wonderful tea can affect fat metabolism in any way, causing weight loss. Moreover, it openly states that the composition known to us as “Flying Swallow Slimming Tea” is designed to stimulate the intestines, eliminating constipation that occurs due to a low-calorie diet.
And the incomprehensible word “anthraquinones”, which according to the manual should be the source of the tea’s effect, in fact refers to a chemical substance with a laxative effect. It is of natural origin, that’s true. However, if we think abstractly, amatoxin (the poison of the death cap mushroom) is also a completely natural substance.
Let’s take a closer look at the composition of the tea:
- one-quarter by weight — tea leaves;
- one-fifth — lingonberry leaves;
- one-fifth — loofah fibers (yes, the natural washcloth);
- about one-sixth (more precisely, 15%) — Pachyma cocos;
- 15% — Cassia tora seeds;
- 1/20 — peel of an unripe tangerine.
Seems harmless at first glance. But what if we take a closer look?
The first component is basically fine. But the second one is already questionable. Yes, lingonberry leaves are known to be an antiseptic, a diuretic, and an antipyretic. But what does it have to do with weight loss?
According to the manufacturer’s claims, loofah fruit fibers are supposed to improve digestion. But let’s use our common sense — how is this technically possible if the fibers themselves do not enter the intestines but stay in a bag with tea leaves? No answer.
Pachyma cocos, aka Poria cocos. A common saprophytic mushroom in the Eastern countries, used in Oriental medicine as a diuretic. In traditional Chinese medicine, it was used to “reduce spleen dampness” and stop diarrhea. According to modern research, it has anti-inflammatory properties, lowers blood cholesterol, and reduces stomach acidity. Again, this is all wonderful, but what does it have to do with fat metabolism in the human body?
Cassia tora seeds, or Cassia tora, according to the modern nomenclature. Yes, a “relative” of senna, which is very popular as a remedy for constipation among the elderly. And doctors actively warn against its regular use. Not only is this herbal remedy very addictive, it has also been proven to have a carcinogenic effect.
However, nothing is known about the carcinogenicity of Cassia tora. Moreover, Eastern scientists are actively researching, trying to prove its anti-cancer, antibacterial, and hypolipidemic (reduces blood lipids) properties. But the laxative effect of the herb is undeniable.
Tangerine peel is more of a spice than an effective component. A source of vitamin C, but its concentration is not high enough to be effective.
So what do we have in the end?
Diuretic, more diuretic, laxative. So where do so many enthusiastic online reviews of Flying Swallow tea come from?
We recommend that you check out this article: what tea is the best for weight loss.
How it works
A potent combination of laxatives and diuretics. Despite the fact that, theoretically, Pachyma cocos is supposed to neutralize the laxative effect, in practice it does not happen. Just read the reviews — everybody writes about “great cleansing”. Some “cleansed” themselves so much they got hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse — such reviews are also available to the public.
But this doesn’t stop anybody: 5, 10 kilograms a week, what could be better! Three kilograms for a night in the toilet! At the same time, nobody thinks that such rapid weight loss is caused by plain dehydration combined with bowel movements. No, it’s not because of the mythical toxins and “fecal deposits”. It’s because of the normal contents of the intestines: half-digested food and water residues. And all these kilograms will come back as soon as the normal digestion is restored. That is, if it can be restored…
Because constant “stimulation” disrupts the natural motility of the intestines, leading to chronic constipation. Prolonged “cleansing” disrupts the absorption of nutrients. Along with water and intestinal contents, electrolytes (ions dissolved in water) are lost. Kidney function and protein metabolism are impaired, electrolyte deficiency may lead to arrhythmias and night cramps.
But perhaps drinking tea “for cleansing” occasionally after a feast won’t do any harm, even if it’s not beneficial?
From the psychological perspective, such actions are a direct path to bulimia. From the physiological perspective, it’s like stressing the gastrointestinal tract: first, it gets an obvious excess of food, which leads to overstretching and increased production of digestive enzymes; then the mucous membrane and excessive motility get irritated.
Some people manage to get away with it, while others experience abdominal pain, bloating, and other discomfort for several days — and if they’re lucky, not weeks. So a good old fasting day on kefir or apples (if there is no gastritis) will be much more effective and healthier.
Contraindications
The manufacturer includes the following among the contraindications:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- tendency to diarrhea;
- bowel diseases;
- individual intolerance.
I’d like to add that constipation may also be a contraindication to using this tea for weight loss. The fact is that constipation can be atonic — when the intestinal muscles are too relaxed and “don’t work”, and spastic — when, on the contrary, parts of the intestines are so active that their spasms block the lumen of the intestinal section, preventing its contents from moving in the desired direction. That’s why before drinking “Flying Swallow” as a laxative, you really should see a doctor.
Better yet, don’t drink it at all and remember a proven method: healthy food and exercise, at least like fitness.
