Chinese medicinal herb Di Shao Gua is the whole herb of the Cucurbitaceae plant Di Shao Gua or Que Piao. Because of its plump shape, it is also known as Milk Gourd. The tender fruit of Di Shao Gua can be eaten raw and has high nutritional value. So what are the benefits of eating raw Di Shao Gua?
【Morphological Characteristics of Di Shao Gua】
Di Shao Gua is a perennial herbaceous drought-tolerant plant that grows well in sandy and gravelly soils. It has a plump appearance and is somewhat similar to a loofah. It can be found in sandy areas, forest edges, grasslands, wastelands, slopes, and roadsides in rural areas of Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, and Jiangnan.
Di Shao Gua is commonly found in northern China and rare or even absent in the south. It is a drought-resistant plant that generally grows in grassland vegetation in typical grasslands. It usually grows on sandy and gravelly soils and can be found in wastelands or fields in rural areas.
Di Shao Gua has a peculiar appearance, resembling a drop of water. It gradually tapers at both ends and is more swollen in the middle, like a spindle. The stem of Di Shao Gua is relatively slender, but it is soft and has a low degree of lignification. Some livestock, such as goats, camels, and sheep, also like to eat Di Shao Gua.
【Efficacy and Actions of Di Shao Gua】
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Di Shao Gua has the effects of clearing deficient fire, replenishing qi, generating body fluids, and promoting lactation. It is used to treat deficient fire causing upper inflammation and sore throat; deficiency of qi and yin, fatigue, forgetfulness, vexation, thirst, dizziness, and insomnia; postpartum weakness and insufficient lactation.
1. "Inner Mongolia Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Clears heat, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and promotes lactation. Used for blocked milk and sore throat."
2. "Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual": "Used for deficiency of qi and blood, neurasthenia, and throat swelling and pain."
3. "National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine": "Replenishes qi, promotes lactation. Used for deficiency of the body and insufficient lactation. Also used externally to treat warts."
【Nutritional Value of Di Shao Gua】
The tender fruit of Di Shao Gua can be eaten raw. It not only has a fragrant aroma and a crisp and sweet taste, but also is rich in nutrients. It is a very green and healthy wild fruit.
The protein content of Di Shao Gua is relatively rich, almost equal to that of alfalfa, and comparable to wheat bran. It is also rich in crude fat and ash, especially high in calcium content.
Due to the white mucilage inside the fruit of Di Shao Gua, many people do not like to eat it.
The immature fruit of Di Shao Gua is delicious, but it loses its deliciousness after the leaves fall off.
Di Shao Gua is a plant with rich nutritional value, especially the protein it contains, which is not only abundant but also of good quality. Di Shao Gua has a slightly sweet taste, but it is cool in nature and has significant effects.
It is recommended to eat fresh tender fruits of Di Shao Gua, because the taste of fresh Di Shao Gua is a bit bitter, but it has a faint natural milky fragrance and is tender and palatable. It is full of rich milk juice and nutrients.
