决明子
Cassia Tora
中国人称 “决明子”，代表 “明目”之意。因为决明子的种籽或果实中含有丰富的植物营养素，具有抗氧化功能；用决明子的种籽或果实制成的药剂可用来治疗多种眼疾，包括白内障、结膜炎及青光眼等，并可以用来减轻头痛及净化肝脏。
Cassia tora's Chinese name is jue ming zi. Because the seeds and fruit of Cassia tora are rich in phytochemicals that have antioxidant effects, they are commonly used to treat eye ailments such as cataracts, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma. Cassia tora also cleanses and refreshes the liver, and relieves headaches.
对健康的多重助益
Multiple Health Benefits
决明子的种籽萃取物，具有抗肿瘤的特性，也能够治疗高血压，并能够降低血液中胆固醇的含量。此外，决明子可用来明目、缓解眼部的红痒现象。它也能治疗便秘、排便等问题，具有润肠的作用。
Extracts of cassia seeds have been discovered to possess antitumor properties. They are also used to treat hypertension and lower blood cholesterol. Cassia tora is often used to clear vision and ease itchy, red eyes. It is also used as a remedy for infrequent stools and constipation due to its ability to lubricate the intestines.
维护肝脏和视力健康
Sow the Seeds of a Healthier Liver and Better Vision
众所周知，决明子是一种对肝脏和视力大有助益的草本植物。根据中国传统医学（TCM），肝脏健康和眼睛健康之间存在着密切的关系 —— 健康的肝脏有利于眼睛健康。
Cassia seed is widely known as an herb that has great benefits for the liver and vision. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there is a strong relationship between the health of the liver and the health of the eyes —— a healthy liver benefits the eyes.
肝脏是人体主要的排毒器官，肝脏出现问题将导致身体清除毒素的能力减弱。血液里的毒素愈多，自由基对器官和组织的伤害愈大。自由基会攻击视网漠中的健康组织，使其被破坏分解。脆弱的视网膜和眼睛的黄斑区特别容易受到自由基的伤害。
The liver is the body's main detoxifying organ. When the liver is unhealthy, its ability to rid the body of toxins is weakened. The more toxins there are in the bloodstream, the greater the free radical damage to the organs and tissues. Free radicals can attack healthy tissues in the retina and cause them to break down. The delicate retina and macula in the eyes are particularly susceptible to free radical damage.
现代研究证实，决明子可以透过提高抗氧化酶的活性，来帮助保护肝脏。决明子也具有清除自由基的高活性，同时能抑制糖基化终产物（ AGES）的形成。
Modern research confirms that cassia seeds help to protect the liver by boosting the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Cassia seeds also show strong free radical scavenging activity and inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGES).
在中国传统医学里，很早以前就开始使用决明子来作为肝脏、眼睛和肾脏的补品。它们也适用于视力模糊、夜盲症等眼部疾病，并且用以减轻因肝脏发炎而引起的眼睛发红、疼痛和肿胀。
Cassia seeds have long been used in TCM as a tonic for the liver, eyes, and kidneys. They are also used for eye conditions such as dim vision and night blindness and to relieve red, sore, and swollen eyes due to liver inflammation.
资料来源：营养 免疫 长寿，免疫学家陈昭妃著
Source: Nutrition Immunity Longevity, Jau-Fei Chen, PhD, Immunologist