The Chinese herbal medicine, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, is a special plant with both medicinal and edible properties. It has antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-tumor effects.
Image of Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Vaccinium vitis-idaea has the function of stopping diarrhea and dysentery, and is mainly used for conditions such as enteritis and dysentery.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea, also known as lingonberry or cowberry, has the word "orange" in its name, but it has no relation to the citrus family.
In Scandinavia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea is a sought-after wild fruit. During the fruiting season, locals would gather their families and bring baskets and rake-like tools to the mountains to search for Vaccinium vitis-idaea fruits.
The most common way to consume the sweet and sour Vaccinium vitis-idaea is by making jam. Usually, only Vaccinium vitis-idaea, sugar, and a small amount of water are needed to make the jam.
However, commercial jams often contain apple pulp and pectin to adjust the sweetness and enhance the texture, mainly for cost-saving purposes.
In fact, the best Vaccinium vitis-idaea jam is made by mixing fresh fruits with sugar, without cooking.
Image of Vaccinium vitis-idaea
In Sweden, Vaccinium vitis-idaea is cultivated on a large scale, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea jam is an indispensable condiment on the dining table. It can be found in dishes ranging from meatballs to thick pancakes, and from oatmeal porridge to black pudding.
Later, it was introduced to the world by the Swedish brand "IKEA", and this small fruit that came out of the forest tundra finally gained worldwide fame.
The Vaccinium vitis-idaea available in the market now has larger size and milder acidity, making it suitable for direct consumption, thanks to the long-term cultivation and improvement by horticulturists.
The substances contained in Vaccinium vitis-idaea fruits have antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-tumor effects.
For treating enteritis and dysentery, take 6g of Vaccinium vitis-idaea fruits and 9g of Fructus Toosendan, decocted in water and taken orally.
Vaccinium vitis-idaea fruits have unique effects in preventing brain and nerve aging, strengthening the heart, anti-cancer, and improving immune regulation. They also regulate the connective tissue and muscle elasticity of the eyes and strengthen microvessels.
