Lotus root is rich in nutrition and has been a panacea for clearing away heat and relieving summer heat since ancient times.
Li Xiangping, an attending physician of gynecology of traditional Chinese medicine in the Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, said that lotus root is the rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera, and its varieties are divided into fruit lotus root, fresh lotus root and old lotus root according to the season of listing. Fruit lotus root is listed in July, fresh lotus root 10 mid-autumn festival debut, and old lotus root is produced all year round. Lotus root is rich in nutritional value, which contains a lot of starch, protein, vitamin B, vitamin C, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron and other minerals. It is a delicious food for all ages.
The hot summer is also the blooming season of lotus flowers and lotus flowers all over Taiwan Province. Yang Wanli, a poet in the Southern Song Dynasty, mentioned in his poem "Seeing the Woods at Dawn in Jingci Temple" that "after all, in June, the scenery of the West Lake is different from that at four o'clock, and the lotus leaves are infinite in the next day, and the lotus flowers are different in color. Lotus root has been one of the tonic drugs for clearing away heat and relieving summer heat in summer since ancient times.
There are many benefits of eating lotus root, which are recorded in many ancient books and classics.
Lotus root is sweet and nontoxic, and enters the heart, spleen and stomach meridians. According to a record in the compendium of materia medica, lotus root can "help digestion, relieve diarrhea, relieve vexation, relieve alcoholism, suppress food intake and thirst after illness". "Compendium Addendum" mentioned: Lotus root starch "regulates appetite, tonifies marrow and blood, ventilates points, clears exterior heat, calms the nerves and develops wisdom, relieves summer heat, promotes fluid production, helps digestion and stops diarrhea".
The efficacy of lotus root is recorded in the famous dietotherapy health book Suixiju Diet Spectrum in Qing Dynasty in more detail: "Raw food can promote fluid production, remove blood stasis, quench thirst and relieve annoyance, stimulate appetite and digestion, cure cholera and dry mouth, treat postpartum boredom, stop bleeding and relieve pain;" Cooked food supplements deficiency, nourishes the heart and produces blood, stimulates appetite and relieves depression, and relieves diarrhea and hunger. 」
Eating lotus root can relieve summer heat? Physician: Lotus root promotes fluid production, strengthens spleen and stimulates appetite.
Dr. Li Xiangping pointed out that from the point of view of Chinese medicine, eating lotus root cuisine in summer mainly has the following two functions:
1. Shengjin: Lotus root is sweet and multi-liquid, which has a particularly good effect on symptoms such as dry mouth, upset, constipation and insomnia in summer. It is suggested that people who are prone to thirst, dry throat and irritability can use fresh lotus root, sugarcane, water chestnut, pear and Ophiopogon japonicus to make five juice drinks.
2. Spleen and appetite: Lotus root exudes a unique fragrance, and also contains tannin, which has the effect of strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea. It can also stimulate appetite, promote digestion, stimulate appetite and strengthen the spleen, and help relieve heatstroke, diarrhea, indigestion and poor appetite in hot weather.
Not only do you know the seven benefits of lotus root for relieving summer heat and reducing fever once.
Dr. Li Xiangping said that in addition to relieving summer heat and reducing fever, lotus root has the functions of nourishing yin and promoting fluid production, moistening lung and relieving cough, invigorating spleen and benefiting qi, removing blood stasis and swelling, cooling blood and stopping bleeding, relieving alcoholism and stopping vomiting. Cooked food is sweet and warm in nature, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, nourishing the heart and blood, promoting granulation and stopping diarrhea, tonifying the deficiency of the five internal organs and strengthening the bones and muscles, and has the following seven effects:
1. Hemostasis: Lotus root node contains tannic acid and vitamin K, which has the effect of contracting blood vessels. Fresh lotus root is cold and is mostly used to cool blood and stop bleeding. Such as nosebleeds, hemoptysis and blood in sputum, can be decocted with fresh lotus root and fresh cogongrass rhizome water or raw arborvitae leaves.
2. Removing blood stasis: The ancient book says: "Lotus root juice can eliminate blood stasis and keep it. Therefore, eating lotus root raw or mashing juice and wine can break blood and remove blood stasis, reduce swelling and detoxify. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it is a good dietotherapy to stop bleeding without leaving blood stasis.
3. Runchang laxative: Lotus root is rich in dietary fiber and mucin, but its calories are not high, so it can control weight, help reduce blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, promote intestinal peristalsis, and prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Fresh lotus root and ginger juice can also treat intestinal inflammation.
4. Enriching blood and promoting granulation: Lotus root is rich in trace elements such as copper, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium and manganese, and is also rich in protein, vitamins and starch, which has obvious effects of invigorating qi and blood and enhancing human immunity. Especially in tuber foods, lotus root has a high iron content, so people with iron deficiency anemia are most suitable to eat lotus root. Lotus root starch is a good product for nourishing yin and enriching blood, and it is easy to be absorbed. It can be taken for people who are anemic, tired and have poor appetite, and has the effects of resisting anemia and promoting blood production.
5. Calm the nerves: Lotus root contains vitamin B group (especially B6), which helps to reduce irritability, relieve headache and stress, thus improving mood and reducing the risk of heart disease.
6. Eliminating phlegm and relieving cough: Nowadays, the air quality is poor, and fresh lotus root juice can also be used to relieve cough, jaundice, asthma and tracheal inflammation. Hot lotus root tea has antitussive and expectorant effects.
7. Anti-aging and cancer prevention: Vitamin C and polyphenols in fresh lotus root can improve immunity, delay aging and prevent cancer.
It is better for people with cold constitution or spleen and stomach weakness to cook lotus root before eating.
Although raw lotus root has many functions, not everyone can eat it. Li Xiangping, a Chinese medicine practitioner, reminds people who are prone to flatulence, diarrhea, fear of cold, cold hands and feet, etc., who have a cold constitution or weak spleen and stomach, should not eat too much raw lotus root, which is cold and difficult to digest, which hinders the spleen and stomach. It is recommended to eat cooked lotus root.
How to choose and cook lotus roots? Quick notes on the 3 principles of doctors not hiding secrets
Dr. Li Xiangping reminded the public that when selecting or cooking lotus roots, special attention should be paid to the following three points:
Key points1/Lotus roots should be selected with yellowish brown skin, thick and white meat, black discoloration, dryness and odor, which is not suitable for eating.
Point 2/Fresh and complete lotus roots can be stored at room temperature for a week, but cut lotus roots should not be stored for a long time. Lotus root will turn brown quickly after peeling, and it can be soaked in diluted white vinegar for 5 minutes, which can restore the whiter color.
Point 3/Do not use an iron pot when cooking lotus root, so as not to turn black during cooking. In addition, when frying lotus roots, you can add some water while frying, so that the fried lotus roots will not turn black.