Water shield is also known as water sunflower and horseshoe grass. It belongs to Nymphaeaceae, an aquatic perennial herb. The leaves are oval and dark green, floating on the water. There are gelatinous transparent substances on the tender stems and leaf backs. In summer, the flowers are small and dark red, which are precious aquatic vegetables.

Water shield can be eaten by mixing and frying. Soups and soups made of tender leaves that are not exposed to the water are greasy and delicious; Crucian carp water shield soup made of water shield and crucian carp is not only a folk therapeutic prescription in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but also a famous dish.

1. Nutritional value

The water shield is rich in nutrition, and each 5g contains 7g of protein, .5g of fat, 16.5g of carbohydrate, 16.5mg of carotene, .3mg of riboflavin, 445mg of vitamin E, 245mg of calcium, 11.5mg of iron, 1.25mg of zinc, 11.65mg of copper.

water shield is cold and sweet, and enters the liver and spleen meridians, which has the functions of clearing away heat and promoting diuresis, reducing swelling and detoxifying, and stopping vomiting. It can be used for treating dysentery, jaundice, carbuncle and furuncle. The water shield contains mucus, which has anti-cancer and blood pressure lowering effects in animal experiments.

2. Diet prescription

① Treating chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer. Take fresh water shield to cook or simmer soup, and eat it often.

② treatment of nausea and vomiting due to excessive appetite. You can eat water shield crucian carp soup.

③ treat miliaria. Take 3 grams of fresh water shield and decoct it in water once a day for 3-5 days. It is effective, but it can't be taken for a long time.

④ treating sores and furuncles. Take fresh water shield, mash it and apply it externally to the affected area.

⑤ treating hypertension. Take 6 grams of water shield, add 1 grams of rock sugar and stew it once a day for 1 days as a course of treatment.