Food therapy is actually based on the taste, nutrition, and efficacy of food, and is used to regulate different diseases of the body. Vegetable roots are often discarded as kitchen waste, but some plant roots can not only be eaten, but also used to treat diseases.
White Cabbage Root
In autumn and winter, people are prone to oral and throat problems, such as itchy throat, thirst, and bad breath. It is an undisputed fact that white cabbage root tastes bad when eaten, but in traditional Chinese medicine, white cabbage is slightly bitter and slightly cold, and has the effect of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, nourishing the stomach, and stopping coughing. When there is discomfort in the throat, you can boil a white cabbage root and drink the soup. In addition, when a cold and fever is caused by chilling, white cabbage root can be boiled with scallion white and ginger, which is more effective for early-stage colds.
Scallion Root
More accurately, it is the roots of scallions. In traditional Chinese medicine, scallions belong to the lung meridian and have the effects of dispelling cold and promoting blood circulation. They are often used to treat headaches, chilblains, and hemorrhoids caused by wind and cold.
There are many folk remedies that use scallion roots. When there is no ginger at home, you can use scallion roots instead. Boiling them and drinking the soup can prevent colds caused by chilling and also help with wind-cold colds and coughs. The "Bie Lu" also records that boiling scallion roots and fermented black beans in alcohol can improve headaches caused by cold.
Cilantro Root
The efficacy of cilantro root is similar to cilantro, but the flavor is more intense. It has the functions of invigorating the stomach, improving digestion, and dispelling wind. It can be chosen to eat when there is nasal congestion, headache, and poor appetite due to stomach cold in winter. In addition, there is a folk remedy of boiling cilantro roots in water to reduce fever. It works by inducing sweating to reduce fever, but only suitable for early-stage wind-cold colds and when the body temperature is below 38℃.
Spinach Root
"Compendium of Materia Medica" records that spinach can invigorate blood vessels, quench thirst, and mentions that "the root is especially good". It can be eaten when there is poor appetite, constipation, and indigestion. The "Experience Prescription" also records that using spinach roots together with chicken inner gold can help regulate symptoms of polydipsia (a modern term for diabetes).
Cauliflower Stems
Not the part of broccoli that touches the soil, but the often discarded stems, which contain rich dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamin C, and are also high in calcium among vegetables. People with chronic constipation can stir-fry cauliflower stems alone or eat them directly with cauliflower.
Radish
In fact, radish belongs to the root and stem vegetables, and the main part eaten is the radish root. Eating radish can aid digestion, improve bloating, and enhance immunity. For cough with phlegm and discomfort in the throat, white radish juice can be squeezed and drunk to stop coughing and soothe the throat.
Beetroot
Like radish, beetroot belongs to root and stem vegetables and is a food with a long history. Its main function is sugar production. It is rich in potassium, iron, magnesium and other minerals, as well as vitamins A, B, C, etc. It has the specific effects of blood nourishment and maintaining cardiovascular health. It has been called the "root of life" by Western doctors.
Therefore, as long as the leftover food is used reasonably, it can not only become a delicious dish but also a good medicine for treating diseases.
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