Water chestnut stems are very refreshing to eat and have therapeutic effects such as clearing heat, diuresis, and lowering blood lipid levels. They are also a good source of dietary fiber. They can be used to treat gastric ulcers!
How to identify water chestnut stems
Water chestnut stems are currently available in major pharmacies, but it is important to distinguish between genuine and fake ones.
The characteristics of genuine water chestnut stems are: the leaves are clustered at the top of the stem, forming a lotus seat shape, with triangular lobes resembling a water chestnut, measuring 2.5-4cm in length and 2-4.5cm in width, with coarse serrations on the upper half of the edge;
The lower part near the base is entire, green, without hairs on the upper surface, and with fine hairs on the lower surface when young, which gradually fall off, and there are hairs along the veins;
The petiole is 2.5-5cm long, hairy or non-hairy, with enlarged spongy air chambers near the top.
The flowers are hermaphroditic, solitary in the leaf axils; the calyx tube is short, hairy, with 4 lobes; the petals are 4; the stamens are 4; the ovary is half-inferior, with 2 chambers, each chamber with 1 ovule, the style is cylindrical, the stigma is head-shaped, and the floral disc is cockscomb-shaped.
Compound prescription for treating diseases with water chestnut stems
1. For the treatment of gastric ulcers, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer: 30-45g of water chestnut stems, 30g of coix seed. Boil and drink the decoction continuously as tea. ("Ben Cao Tui Chen")
2. For the treatment of scalp ulcers in children and alcohol poisoning (hangover): 60-120g of fresh water chestnut stem (excluding leaves and rootlets). Prepare a decoction and drink. ("Food Medicinal Herbs and Prescriptions")
