Tea Nut Finds New Use as Medical Gel

Researchers at the University of Chicago in Illinois, USA have discovered a groundbreaking biomedical application for malva nuts, a traditional ingredient used in Chinese herbal tea.

Led by PhD candidate Changxu Sun from the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, the team studied how malva nuts, known for their ability to swell in water, can be repurposed into hydrogels with significant medical potential.

Traditionally, the nuts – called “Pangdahai” in Chinese medicine – are steeped in hot water to create a soothing tea for sore throats. Once hydrated, the nuts expand up to eight times in volume and 20 times in weight, forming a gelatinous mass that is usually discarded.

Sun and his advisor, Professor Bozhi Tian, sought to repurpose this “waste” into a hydrogel. Given its biocompatibility, it could be used for wound care, drug delivery and implantable bio-electronics.

Beyond scientific innovation, this discovery holds economic promise, especially for low-income south-east Asian countries where the malva tree is native. By leveraging an abundant, biodegradable resource, the study underscores a sustainable approach to biomedical engineering.

This research highlights the potential of plant-based materials in medicine, opening doors for further exploration into natural, cost-effective hydrogels and their transformative impact on healthcare.

“We wanted to show people should shift their attention into the unexplored properties and resources of natural plants,” Sun shared.

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