For urban dwellers who are accustomed to eating large fish and meat, eating wild vegetables not only provides a fresh experience, but also has rich nutritional and medicinal value that is beneficial to health. However, recent reports have shown that allergic reactions caused by consuming wild vegetables have been occurring frequently, so everyone should be extra cautious when consuming them.
In terms of nutrition, the vitamin content of most wild vegetables is higher than that of regular vegetables. For example, the beta-carotene content of various wild vegetables such as wild celery, wild onion, water dropwort, gray lettuce, purslane, locust flower, and wild garlic is much higher than that of carrots and spinach that we commonly eat. In addition, wild vegetables are also rich in dietary fiber, which is effective in eliminating pollutants from the body, treating constipation, and preventing colon cancer.
However, a considerable number of wild vegetables, such as water dropwort, wild onion, watercress, gray lettuce, purslane, locust flower, and wild garlic, contain substances that can cause allergies and easily trigger allergic reactions in individuals with certain sensitivities. For example, after consuming gray lettuce, purslane, or locust flower and being exposed to sunlight, it is very likely to induce photoallergic dermatitis, with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching appearing on the eyelids, face, neck, and arms, and even the formation of blisters. If one consumes too much wild garlic, symptoms such as dry throat and swollen eyes may occur.
In addition, most wild vegetables have a cold and bitter taste, which can clear heat. However, excessive consumption can harm the spleen and stomach, leading to mild symptoms of poisoning such as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. For example, excessive consumption of wild shepherd's purse can weaken the spleen and stomach and cause blood stagnation and qi stagnation. Therefore, no matter what kind of wild vegetables it is, it is enough to just have a taste of freshness and should not be consumed in large quantities or for a long period of time. If symptoms such as itching all over the body, swelling, rash, or subcutaneous bleeding occur after consuming wild vegetables, one should immediately stop consuming them and seek medical treatment at the hospital to avoid delaying and causing damage to liver and kidney functions.
In terms of consumption methods, wild vegetables should not be stored for a long time and should be bought and consumed immediately for the best freshness. Many wild vegetables, such as purslane, willow bud, and wild alfalfa, must be blanched with boiling water before consumption to remove potential toxins as much as possible.
