The leaves of the Vietnamese Balm, or “La É”, have a refreshing sour taste and a lemongrass-like fragrance.
La É, also known as “Trà Tiên” or “Tiến Thực”, is a wild herb that grows abundantly in vacant lots, along roadsides, and in backyard gardens. This modest plant, standing at about 50cm tall, bears white flowers and has light green leaves with a soft, hairy texture and serrated edges. In the past, La É was considered a delicacy fit for royalty due to its unique aroma and appealing flavor.
For the past two years, La É has gained popularity in urban areas, with many sellers offering it online and on e-commerce platforms. A kilogram of these fragrant leaves typically costs around 70,000 VND.
In an online marketplace listing, Ms. Xuan Thanh from Cau Dien, Hanoi, describes La É as follows: “La É is a specialty of the Central Highlands region. When grown elsewhere, its flavor and aroma are not quite the same. La É leaves are an excellent alternative to “La Giang” leaves for adding a sour twist to dishes such as chicken hot pot, “Ca Keo” fish hot pot, steamed chicken, chicken soup, or steamed seafood. La É has a refreshing sour taste and a distinctive lemongrass-like fragrance.”
La É leaves are sold online for approximately 70,000 VND per kilogram.
According to Ms. Thanh, La É leaves closely resemble Thai basil leaves, leading to potential confusion. However, the two can be distinguished by examining their flowers and stems. La É has white, hairy flowers and stems, while Thai basil has purple, hairless ones. Additionally, La É has a tangy, slightly bitter, and sour taste, whereas Thai basil is predominantly spicy.
In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, La É has become a favorite ingredient in chicken hot pot and “Ca Keo” fish hot pot, especially as the weather turns cooler.
Chicken hot pot and “Ca Keo” fish hot pot flavored with La É are popular dishes among city dwellers.
La É: A Boon for Health
Beyond its culinary appeal, La É is also revered for its medicinal properties and is considered a panacea of sorts. The leaves, stems, and seeds of this herb are used in traditional remedies and essential oil extraction.
In traditional medicine, the leaves and stems of La É are believed to have a warming effect, promoting perspiration and providing relief from colds and flu. They are also thought to alleviate wind-related ailments, reduce dampness in the body, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain. La É tea is commonly consumed during the summer to prevent heat-related illnesses, reduce stress, promote digestive health, soothe the nerves, and improve blood lipid levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure.
According to Eastern medicine, the seeds of La É have a cooling effect and are used to treat sore throats, coughs, and oral and gastrointestinal bleeding. Research published on ResearchGate highlights the impressive antibacterial properties of La É, attributed to its ability to inhibit bacterial growth. Moreover, the potent antioxidant properties of these leaves contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Medical professionals advise taking La É seeds at least one hour before or after consuming other medications. It is also recommended to refrain from taking these seeds within a week before surgery.
Traditional Remedies Using La É
La É has been incorporated into various traditional remedies to treat ailments such as colds, headaches, constipation, abdominal pain, kidney infections, and bladder infections:
– To treat colds, flu, fever, and headaches: Use 20-30g of fresh La É leaves alone or in combination with other herbs such as grapefruit leaves, lemon leaves, feverfew, and lemon balm (10g each). Boil the leaves and use the infused water for steam inhalation.
– To relieve abdominal pain and indigestion: Use 10-20g of dried La É leaves, infuse them in hot water, and drink the infusion throughout the day.
– To treat constipation: Soak 4-12g of La É seeds in 100ml of warm water until a white, sticky substance forms around the seeds. Add some sugar, stir well, and drink the mixture.
– To alleviate painful urination, kidney infections, and bladder infections: Mix 3-6 drops of La É essential oil with syrup and water emulsion, and consume the mixture throughout the day.
– To treat coughs: Use 15-20g of La É leaves and stems, either infused or boiled, and drink the resulting liquid.
– To reduce stress and fatigue: Drink La É-infused tea daily. To prepare the tea, mix a few hundred grams of unflavored tea with a few dried and shredded La É leaves.
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