Water spinach is a vegetable belonging to the Piperaceae family. It is a wild vegetable that can live in various different terrains and usually grows in bushes by ponds, lakes, field edges, rocky slopes… in moist areas. Many people used to consider this vegetable as a weed, only used as animal feed without knowing that water spinach is not only delicious but also has many nutritional values.
In many countries, water spinach is considered as a “miracle drug” for many diseases. In Western countries, water spinach leaves are often crushed and used as a compress to treat fever, headache, and stomach pain. In the Philippines, water spinach leaves are used as a compress to treat ulcers and abscesses. In China, this vegetable is used as a medicine to treat joint pain, burns from fire or boiling water, snake bites, ulcers, swollen and painful injuries…
In Vietnam, water spinach grows ubiquitously, and people often boil or stir-fry it with garlic. It can be eaten raw as a refreshing and nutritious vegetable. The plant is commonly used as a medicinal herb, and it is harvested fresh because it grows all year round.
Especially, this wild vegetable is very rich in nutrients. In 100g of water spinach, it contains 92% water, 105kJ of energy, 0.5g protein, 0.3g fat, 5.9g carbohydrates, 34mg phosphorus, 277mg potassium, 124mg calcium, 62mg magnesium, 3.2mg iron, 5.2mg vitamin C,…
With such a high amount of calcium, many types of milk on the market fall far short. Water spinach is not only a nutritious food but also low in calories, making it suitable for weight loss, children, the elderly, women with osteoporosis, premenopausal women…
The benefits of water spinach
According to traditional medicine, water spinach has a bitter taste, neutral nature, and has the effects of cooling down body heat, detoxifying, promoting blood circulation, and dispelling stagnant blood. Water spinach is used to support respiratory infections such as cough, sore throat, and pharyngitis… It is also very good for patients with appendicitis, viral hepatitis, gastrointestinal inflammation, poor digestion, joint pain, and malaria.
In folk medicine, water spinach is commonly used to treat snake bites, abscesses, swollen and painful injuries. The iron content in water spinach helps nourish the blood and prevent iron-deficiency anemia. Boiling thoroughly cooked water spinach helps to enrich the blood.
The minerals potassium and magnesium in water spinach are good for the cardiovascular system and blood pressure, as well as contributing to the treatment of diabetes, constipation, and hypertension… People with abdominal pain, scabies, and pimples can benefit from water spinach because of its cooling and heat-clearing properties.
How to prepare water spinach dishes
Water spinach can be eaten raw, mixed in salads, it is delicious because of its high water content, crisp texture, and sour taste. After picking, clean the water spinach, drain the water, mix it with salad dressing, add eggs to create an effective weight loss dish.
Water spinach can be used to cook meat soup, crab soup, because the vegetable cooks quickly and does not require a long cooking time. This soup is both refreshing and rich in calcium, which promotes bone development in young children. Menopausal women will also benefit from these soups.
Water spinach can be boiled and its water can be extracted to drink daily, which helps with weight loss and supports digestion and heat-clearing.
Medicinal recipes using water spinach
– Water spinach for treating sore throat: Use 50 – 100g of water spinach, rinse it, chew it slowly, or grind it into water to drink daily. Use continuously for 3-5 days.
– Water spinach for reducing diabetes: Rinse 100g of water spinach, squeeze it with vinegar (or lime), add 100g of frog meat, remove the skin, clean, remove the head, marinate the meat with flour, fry until golden brown. Mix all the ingredients, eat 2-3 times a week.
– Water spinach for preventing and treating anemia: Rinse 100g of water spinach, squeeze it with vinegar, add 100g of beef, add enough spices, stir-fry until cooked, eat hot with rice. Eat 3 times a week.
– Water spinach for relieving urinary problems: Rinse 150-200g of water spinach, after rinsing, add 300ml of boiled water, let it cool down, divide into 2 portions and drink throughout the day. Drink continuously for 5 days.
– Water spinach for treating muscle spasms in the lower back (heat toxin invading the kidney channels): Boil water spinach and drink the water, about 100g each time.
– Water spinach for treating immature abscesses (swollen and inflamed): Rinse 100-150g of water spinach, add 250ml of water, boil it, divide it into 2 portions and drink throughout the day. Use the remaining residue for external application on the skin.
– Water spinach for heat-clearing and treating acne: Rinse 150g of water spinach, eat it raw, or grind it into water to drink daily to clear heat. The remaining residue can be used for external application on the skin.
How to grow water spinach easily in pots
Water spinach grows wild in places with high humidity. It can grow on the side of the road or in potted plants. You can easily grow them in cities using hanging pots or plastic pots indoors.
Just take a few water spinach stems, plant them in loose soil, and water evenly. They will grow quickly.
Water spinach does not require much care, just enough moisture for the plants to grow well. If you live in a city, you can plant them in small pots on your balcony.
3 groups of people who should not eat water spinach
Although water spinach brings many health benefits, you need to note the following to avoid unwanted side effects:
People with allergies
Some people may be allergic to the components found in water spinach and should not consume it as it can cause dangerous symptoms such as itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
People with asthma
The strong odor from water spinach can irritate the respiratory tract and trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
Pregnant women
For pregnant women or those with any other health issues, it is advisable to consult a doctor or nutritionist before adding water spinach to their daily diet.
Note: When cooking water spinach, do not overcook it as it will cause a loss of nutrients in the vegetable.
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