Zhu Jie Cao (Bamboo Knot Grass) looks like bamboo and is a plant that can be used as both medicine and food. When selecting bamboo knot grass, choose the tender stems and leaves in the middle part. Boil them in hot water to remove the bitter taste, and then they can be used for cooking, such as in porridge, stir-frying, or as a salad. Let's learn more about the methods of consuming bamboo knot grass below.
Bamboo Knot Grass Image
【Benefits and Effects of Bamboo Knot Grass】
1. Heat-clearing and Detoxifying
Due to changes in people's dietary habits and lifestyle, many people like to eat heavy-flavored foods or stay up late, which often leads to excessive internal heat. Drinking water boiled with bamboo knot grass can help to clear heat and detoxify the body.
2. Lowering Blood Pressure
Bamboo knot grass contains abundant protein and potassium. Regular consumption can help lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
3. Hemostatic
The main function of bamboo knot grass is to stop bleeding. It can be used to treat various types of bleeding, including external injuries, vomiting blood, or bloody stools. Crushed bamboo knot grass can be applied externally for external bleeding, and boiled water can be taken internally for bloody stools or vomiting blood.
4. Cancer Prevention
Many foods in today's diet are acidic, which increases the risk of cancer. Bamboo knot grass is an alkaline food and can help prevent cancer.
5. Anti-inflammatory
Bamboo knot grass also has excellent anti-inflammatory effects and can be used to treat tonsillitis, hepatitis, duodenal gastritis, and other inflammatory conditions.
Bamboo Knot Grass Image
【Growth Characteristics of Bamboo Knot Grass】
Bamboo knot grass grows in humid areas along streams and slopes at altitudes of 200-2300m. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, including Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, and other areas.
Bamboo knot grass prefers warm and moist environments and is not tolerant of severe cold. It survives the winter by means of its creeping stems. It sprouts and blooms around March of the following year. It is often found in shallow water in lakes, ponds, and ditches.
To use fresh bamboo knot grass, take 200g and boil it in 2000ml of water, and drink one dose daily. This treatment has been effective for 5 cases of elderly diabetes. This formula is suitable for type 2 diabetes and can also be used to treat urinary tract infections caused by diabetes. However, its effectiveness is lower for type 1 diabetes.
Harvesting and processing: Harvest in June and July, wash thoroughly, and use fresh or dry in the sun.
Propagation: Primarily propagated by creeping stems.
Cultivation management: Rarely cultivated artificially.
Garden use: Often used in landscape water features.
Bamboo Knot Grass Image
【Methods of Consuming Bamboo Knot Grass】
There are many ways to consume bamboo knot grass. It can be stir-fried, served as a salad, used to make porridge, or dried and cooked with pork belly.
1. Porridge
Making porridge with bamboo knot grass is a common method. The combination of white rice and bamboo knot grass, one green and one white, is naturally a perfect match.
2. Stir-frying
When stir-frying bamboo knot grass, it is better to use a bit more oil than usual because bamboo knot grass absorbs oil easily. However, it should not be stir-fried for too long. Just stir-fry for a short time until the fragrance comes out, which usually takes about 30 seconds.
Bamboo knot grass can be stir-fried alone or with meat. The most common way is to stir-fry it with salted pork belly. Cut the pork belly into small pieces and fry them in a pan with hot oil. When the pork turns golden brown, add the prepared bamboo knot grass, without adding water, and stir-fry over high heat.
3. Salad
Making a salad is the simplest way to enjoy bamboo knot grass. It is particularly delicious when combined with dried bean curd, which absorbs the aroma of bamboo knot grass. Add sesame oil and chili powder to enhance the unique flavor and enjoy the refreshing taste.
