Wild Vegetable: Easy to Grow, Delicacy in Northern Vietnam with Year-Round Harvests
Ngũ Gia Bì Hương, a shrub native to the forests of Vietnam’s northern mountainous regions, has been cultivated by locals as a delicious and nutritious vegetable crop. Initially, it was planted around ponds and ditches or used as fencing to protect crops and fruit trees from grazing livestock such as horses and buffaloes.
This vegetable is commonly found in provinces like Tuyen Quang (formerly Ha Giang), Lao Cai, Phu Tho, and Son La. In recent years, with its increasing popularity as a culinary ingredient, farmers have started growing it for its tender shoots and young leaves, supplying restaurants, eateries, and local markets.
Growing this vegetable is relatively straightforward; propagation is done through cuttings, and it requires minimal care. Harvesting is a year-round activity, as farmers pluck the tender shoots, which grow abundantly during the rainy season.
Despite its spiny nature, the young shoots of the Ngũ Gia Bì Hương are crisp and tender. They are used as a fresh, healthy vegetable and can be prepared in various dishes.
This vegetable is grown using natural methods, ensuring it is safe and wholesome. It can be consumed raw, dipped in hot pot, stir-fried, or cooked in soup, with the most popular preparation being stir-fried with eggs. Preparation is simple; just pluck the tender shoots, about 5-7cm in length, and rinse them before cooking.
Health Benefits of Ngũ Gia Bì Hương
According to the book “Medicinal Plants and Animals in Vietnam”, this vegetable has a pungent and bitter taste with a warm nature. It is believed to relieve wind-dampness, strengthen tendons and bones, and tonify the liver and kidneys.
The vegetable is in high demand and fetches a stable price. Often, families cannot keep up with the demand from restaurants and tourists.
In addition to its culinary uses, Ngũ Gia Bì Hương can also be made into a healthy tea. With its growing popularity, farmers are expanding their cultivation to increase their income.
Research has revealed that this vegetable is a valuable herb related to ginseng. Its bark and young shoots contain saponins, which are beneficial to health. It is a potent antioxidant, combats aging and fatigue, boosts memory, and treats stomach ailments and rheumatism. Some compounds in Ngũ Gia Bì Hương also exhibit anti-cancer and antiviral properties. The young shoots are edible, while the older leaves and branches can be boiled for a healthy drink.
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