Water Spinach: A Delicacy Hiding in Plain Sight in Vietnam’s Rural Areas
For those who grew up in Vietnam’s countryside, water spinach, also known as “thài lài,” is a familiar sight. This plant typically grows in moist areas such as roadside ditches, paddy fields, or irrigation canals. Especially after heavy rains, water spinach thrives and grows abundantly.
Water spinach usually grows to a height of 25 to 50 cm, with a soft, hairy stem and a fibrous root system that grows at the nodes. The stem tends to branch out and droop towards the ground. Its leaves are lanceolate or spear-shaped.
Despite its abundance, not many people are aware that water spinach is edible. Often considered a weed, it is usually pulled out during gardening or land cleaning. However, in some localities, water spinach is cooked and prepared in various delicious ways, such as boiling, stir-frying with garlic, or making soup with shrimp or crab.
In recent years, water spinach has become a sought-after delicacy in cities and is even sold in supermarkets. Currently, the price of water spinach is around 70,000 VND per kilogram.
Ms. Giang, a vegetable seller at Ha Dong Market in Hanoi, shared: “Water spinach usually blooms during the rainy season. It still grows wild, and no one cultivates it. Therefore, the quantity is limited. Occasionally, I can get a few bundles from farmers. Only those who come to the market early have a chance to buy it.”
When you break water spinach, you will notice its sliminess, which may make some people skeptical about cooking with it. However, water spinach is actually very tasty. During the summer, soup made with shrimp, crab, or minced meat and water spinach is not only refreshing but also brings a delightful change of taste to family meals. Boiled water spinach dipped in fish sauce is also a fantastic combination.
Beyond its culinary uses, water spinach offers numerous health benefits. It can be consumed fresh or dried. According to some studies, the dry matter content in water spinach contains 21.15% cellulose, 12.8% ash, 7.8% protein, 0.9% lipid, and 59.75% non-protein derivatives. The seeds also contain fatty oils, adding nutritional value to the vegetable.
In traditional Vietnamese medicine, water spinach is known for its sweet taste and cooling properties, making it beneficial for health. Practitioners often use this plant to support the treatment of common ailments such as colds, tonsillitis, sore throat, and digestive issues like diarrhea and edema.
Additionally, water spinach has detoxifying properties, especially in cases of insect bites, and can reduce swelling and pain caused by boils or abscesses.
In modern medicine, researchers have discovered valuable active compounds in water spinach. One of them is α-glucosidase, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and prevents hyperglycemia. Another compound, p-hydroxycinnamic acid, has been extracted from water spinach and is known for its immune-boosting and antibacterial properties, contributing to overall health.
Traditional remedies using water spinach:
Treating upper respiratory infections
For this remedy, prepare about 30g of water spinach, 30g of dandelion leaves, and 30g of mulberry leaves. After cleaning, boil these ingredients with water. Give the boiled water to children daily to quickly improve respiratory infection symptoms.
Treating acute sore throat and tonsillitis
To cure a sore throat and tonsillitis, you can use about 30g of fresh water spinach, boil it with water, and drink it once or twice a day for 3-4 days. Alternatively, crush 90-120g of fresh water spinach, squeeze out the juice, and drink it daily, optionally adding a pinch of salt to enhance the effect.
You can also use dried water spinach to make a refreshing drink. The boiled water from water spinach has cooling and antibacterial properties, effectively treating tonsillitis and helping to cool down the body.
Treating acute glomerulonephritis, edema, and oliguria
To address acute glomerulonephritis, prepare about 30g each of water spinach, knotgrass, and plantain. Combine these ingredients, boil them with water, and drink the concoction daily. Regular consumption of this herbal tea will significantly improve the condition.
Supporting the treatment of hypertension
You can prepare about 90g of fresh water spinach along with silk tree flowers, clean them, and boil them with water to make a drink. Consuming this drink continuously for 10-15 days can help improve blood pressure levels.
However, when using water spinach, it is essential to note that it has a cold nature. Therefore, those with digestive issues such as cold stomach or weak spleen and stomach should avoid or limit its consumption. Additionally, the remedies using water spinach are based on folk experience and have not been thoroughly studied for effectiveness. Thus, it is advisable to consult a doctor before applying these remedies.