Benefits of Lotus SeedNutritional Value
Water caltrop is a water plant. Although the appearance of water caltrop is not particularly attractive, its name matches its shape. There are many benefits to eating water caltrops because they contain abundant starch,protein, sugar,unsaturated fatty acids, and various vitamins. Ancient people believed that consuming water caltrops could nourish the five organs, cure numerous ailments, and aid in weight loss. What specific benefits does water caltrop offer? How can we eat water caltrops effectively? What should be noted when eating water caltrops? Benefits of water caltrops
Fresh caltrop stems, commonly known as "caltrop sprout".
Many people regard it as ordinary aquatic grass, but this is not the case. Caltrop sprouts have many uses, mainly in terms of food value. What specific benefits does water caltrop offer?1. Nourish spleen and qi
Raw water caltrops can clear summer heat; cooked ones benefit spleen health.
2. Anticancer
Water caltrops also have the effects of "awakening the spleen, sobering up from alcohol, and calming the center".
In folk remedies, it is used to treat cancer. According to modern research, water caltrop's alcohol extract has anticancer effects.3. Weight loss
Water caltrops promote urination, lactation, relieve thirst, detoxify from alcohol, and treat skin conditions like sores, warts, and can help in maintaining health as a weight-loss aid.
4. Relieve skin conditions
Water caltrops are eaten internally or externally to treat various dermatological issues such as infantile eczema, facial scalds, and warts.
5. Improve vision
Caltrops are a water fruit that is cooling and sweet in nature, suitable for clearing heat, resolving internal fire, and brightening the eyes.
6. Cool down and sober up
Water caltrops have a cool and moist nature; raw consumption can clear summer heat, quench thirst, and relieve restlessness.
By mashing the shells and boiling them to make a decoction, it can be used to treat alcohol poisoning. How to eat water caltrops
Water caltrops are eaten raw or cooked; young caltrops are crisp and tasty;
older ones have white, soft flesh like jade. What specific ways are there to enjoy water caltrops? Recipe 1: Steamed Water Caltrops
Ingredients:
Water caltrops, water. Steps:
1. Wash the water caltrops.
2. Clean the pot and place the washed water caltrops inside.
3. Add enough water to cover the caltrops; cook for 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe 2: Water Caltrop Stewed Pork
Ingredients:
Water caltrops, five-spice pork, ginger, scallions, salt, sugar, soy sauce, old soy sauce, and cooking wine.Steps: 1. Peel the shells from the water caltrops;2. Boil some ginger slices in water to soften; cook the pork separately. 3. Heat a pan with oil, add ginger and scallion for flavoring, then stir-fry the pork until it releases fat.4. Add cooking wine, soy sauce, old soy sauce, and sugar to color the pork; 5. Add water and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
6. Add the peeled water caltrops and salt; continue simmering for another 30 minutes before thickening with a rapid boil; serve in a bowl.
Recipe 3: Sweet Water Caltrops
Ingredients:
Water caltrops, baking soda powder, white sugar, water.
Steps:
1. Boil the water caltrops until cooked; add some baking soda to make peeling easier.
2. Cook thoroughly and peel off the shells.3. Add appropriate amounts of sugar before serving.
How to choose water caltrops Water caltrops have a hard shell which makes choosing them challenging, but we will provide tips on how to select fresh and tasty ones.
For raw consumption, pick fresh and tender caltrops with a bright green color; newly harvested caltrops are especially good for taste.For cooked consumption, choose older caltrops with yellow or red shells as they become white and soft when cooked. How to store water caltrops
Water caltrops can be unfamiliar to many. We will now outline storage methods to keep them fresh.
Store shell-on caltrops in the refrigerator for a long time, but their taste degrades with longer refrigeration.
For shelled caltrops, wrap them in a sealed plastic bag and store in a cool place or the fridge for about 1-2 days.
How to eat water caltrops safely
In autumn when it is harvesting season for water caltrops, freshly picked caltrops are fresh and tender. Eating too many raw can cause infection from parasitic worms.
Parasites in water caltrops can lead to digestive issues like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea; severe cases may result in anemia, edema, and developmental disorders.
Therefore, extra caution is needed when eating water caltrops! Experts advise:Avoid raw consumption of water caltrops, pork, and lotus roots.
Ensure thorough cleaning and boiling or sun-drying before eating to prevent digestive issues like abdominal distension, pain, and diarrhea.
Keep hygiene; avoid drinking untreated water and wash hands after handling aquatic plants or contaminated water.
Additional notes on consuming water caltrops
In fall when it is the season for collecting water caltrops, freshly picked ones are fresh and tender. Eating too many raw can damage your spleen and stomach, so consider cooking them instead. Water caltrops with a cold nature should not be consumed in excess as they may cause abdominal distension.
Young water caltrops are crisp and tasty;
older ones have white, soft flesh like jade.
Cautions when eating water caltrops
Pork and water caltrops together can cause liver pain.
Eating water caltrops with pork can lead to liver discomfort.Combining water caltrops with honey may cause digestive problems including bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The freshly picked lotus seeds are fresh and tender, and eating them raw can easily result in infection by the ginger fluke found on lotus seeds and water caltrops. This fluke resides in the small intestine of humans, causing digestive and systemic symptoms such as abdominal pain, distension, diarrhea, etc., with severe cases leading to anemia.and edema, as well as developmental disorders. Therefore, everyone should pay extra attention when eating lotus seeds! Experts advise:
Try not to eat lotus seeds or water caltrops raw, michas lotus roots should be avoided for raw consumption. Do not use your teeth to peel the skin. When consuming them raw, they must be thoroughly washed and boiled in hot water for a few minutes or dried under the sun for a day before eating. Maintain hygiene by avoiding drinking unboiled water; wash hands after contact with aquatic plants or sewage.
Additionally, when eating lotus seeds, we should pay attention to the following:
1. For fresh fruit consumption, do not consume too much as it can easily damage the spleen and stomach; consider cooking them instead.
2. Raw lotus seeds, especially freshly picked ones, are cold in nature, and overconsumption can cause abdominal distension.
3. Lotus is a fruit that should be eaten fresh; young lotus seeds are the best, crisp and refreshing;mature lotus seeds for cooking have white meat as delicate as jade.
4. Eating lotus seeds with honey can lead to digestive discomfort, causing abdominal distension, pain, and diarrhea.5. Foods that conflict with lotus seeds:(1) Combining lotus with pork may cause liver pain.
(2) Consuming both lotus and pork together is likely to induce liver pain.
(3) Combining lotus with honey can result in digestive issues.Pork can cause liver pain. Radiclania with pork consumption easily leads to liver pain.
(3) Eating Radiclania with honey can lead to indigestion.
(3) Water caltrops with honey can cause digestive issues.
