Lotus root - a nutritious dish not to be missed

Not only does it have a cooling effect, lotus root powder also has the effect of curing hangovers and eliminating thirst after being drunk.

"Miracle drug" to clear heat of the ancients

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that lotus root has rich nutritional value, is a "miracle drug" that clears heat, has the effect of stopping bleeding, strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach, replenishing qi, and nourishing blood.

Modern medicine has also shown that this tuber contains 70% starch and many essential minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B, vitamin C, fat, protein, sugar...

"The Ten Strange Materia Medica" once recorded: Lotus root powder helps digest food, eliminate diarrhea, relieve depression, sober up, and eliminate thirst after drunkenness".

"The Ten Strange Facts" says: Lotus root powder regulates appetite, nourishes marrow, benefits blood, has the effect of clearing the air, clearing heat, eating regularly will calm the mind, increase intelligence, quench thirst, produce body fluids, digest food, and eliminate diarrhea.

The famous Qing Dynasty nutrition book "Sui Tuc Cu Am Thuc Pu" (a menu for recuperation and rest) also recorded in more detail the effects of this food.

Lotus root is a food-producing, body-forming root that prevents thirst, relieves anxiety, aids digestion, stimulates appetite, treats cholera, dry mouth, is beneficial for women after childbirth, stops bleeding, relieves pain, is cooked, nourishes deficiency, and produces blood...

Main uses of lotus root

According to Chinese medicine, lotus root used in summer has two main uses:

Rejuvenates: Lotus root is sweet and has a lot of fluids, which is very effective for people with dry mouth, anxiety, constipation, insomnia, and hot temper. People who are often thirsty, have dry throats, and are easily irritated should drink juice from fresh lotus root, sugarcane, ophiopogon, pear, and horsetail.

Tonifying the spleen and treating diarrhea: With its refreshing aroma, lotus root has the effect of tonifying the spleen and treating diarrhea.

Not stopping there, this food also stimulates appetite, promotes digestion, improves appetite, and strengthens the spleen.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that lotus root, in addition to its heat-clearing effects, also helps nourish yin, produce body fluids, moisten the lungs and relieve coughs, strengthen the spleen and replenish qi, disperse blood stasis and reduce swelling, stop bleeding and relieve hangovers, and treat vomiting...

In general, this food has the following main nutritional effects:

1. Hemostasis: Lotus root contains tannin and vitamin K. Meanwhile, fresh lotus root is cold and has hemostasis effect.

Therefore, people with nosebleeds, coughing up blood, or vomiting blood can use fresh lotus root with cogon root water or thuja leaves to boil and drink.

2. Reduce swelling: Many sources of traditional medicine state: "Lotus root juice can disperse blood stasis." Therefore, pounding lotus root to extract the juice or mixing it with alcohol can both reduce swelling and detoxify.

3. Laxative: Lotus root has an extremely rich source of nutrients with protein, low calories, can control weight, help stabilize blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, promote digestion, prevent constipation and hemorrhoids.

In addition, fresh lotus root with ginger juice can also cure colitis.

4. Blood tonic: Lotus root contains trace elements such as copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, along with rich protein, vitamins, and starch.

Therefore, this food has the effect of nourishing blood and strengthening the immune system. Especially among root vegetables, lotus root contains a relatively high iron content, especially suitable for people with anemia.

Lotus root powder has the effect of nourishing yin and blood, suitable for people with anemia, fatigue, poor appetite, and loss of appetite.

5. Calms the mind and soothes the nerves: Lotus root contains a lot of vitamin B (especially B6), which helps reduce irritability and discomfort, soothes headaches and relieves stress, improves mood, and reduces the risk of hypoglycemia.

6. Treating cough and phlegm: Lotus root water can be used to soothe coughs, reduce phlegm, and reduce asthma and bronchitis. Lotus root tea is also effective in treating coughs and phlegm.

7. Preventing cancer: Modern medical research has confirmed that phenols and vitamin C in fresh lotus root can enhance the immune system, delay aging, and prevent cancer.

Note: People with cold constitution and weak spleen and stomach should eat lotus root while it is still hot.

Besides, it should be noted that raw lotus root, although having many effects, is cold in nature.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners recommend that people who are prone to bloating, diarrhea, fear of cold, cold hands and feet, people with cold constitution or weak spleen and stomach should eat cooked lotus root, should not eat too much raw lotus root to avoid indigestion, which is harmful to the digestive system.

3 principles of selecting and processing lotus root

- When choosing to buy lotus root, you should choose the type with dark yellow skin and thick, white flesh. Do not choose the type that has changed color, has dry flesh, and has a strange smell.

- If lotus root is not processed immediately, leave it whole and store in a cool place.

After peeling the outer skin, lotus roots often turn black, so soak them in cold water mixed with vinegar for about 5-10 minutes, then rinse with cold water to keep their white color and crispness.

- Do not use an iron pan to boil lotus root to avoid it turning black. In addition, when stir-frying lotus root, you can add a little water to keep the dish's bright color.

Tips on how to prepare two "special" dishes from lotus root

1. Fresh lotus root tea

Ingredients: 50g fresh lotus root, half a bowl of water and a moderate amount of sugar.

Preparation: Thinly slice fresh lotus root, put in a pot, add half a bowl of water, add sugar, boil, let cool and drink.

Effects: Clears heat and detoxifies, benefits qi, nourishes blood, helps relieve depression, quenches thirst, brightens eyes, diuretic, cures hangovers and heatstroke.

2. Lotus root juice

Ingredients: 250ml fresh milk, 50ml fresh lotus root juice and fresh pear juice each, 5ml ginger juice and chive juice each.

Preparation: Mix fresh lotus root juice, fresh pear juice, ginger juice, and chive juice with fresh milk, simmer over low heat until boiling, then use.

Effect: Drink 1 to 2 times a day, continuously for 3 to 5 days, has the effect of strengthening the spleen and stimulating appetite.

According to Young Knowledge