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What Are the Benefits of the Tầm Bóp Plant? Delicious and Nutritious Ways to Prepare Tầm Bóp Greens.

The Perilla tree is a familiar sight in rural areas, and its uses extend beyond delicious culinary creations. This humble plant also boasts a range of medicinal properties, offering a wealth of health benefits that have been utilized for generations.

Administrator

23 July, 2024

Let’s explore the health benefits of Cape Gooseberry and learn how to prepare delicious dishes with this vegetable.

1. What is Cape Gooseberry?

What is Cape Gooseberry?

Name and Origin of Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry, also known as Chinese Lantern Plant, has the scientific name Physalis angulata and belongs to the Nightshade family. It is commonly called cây thù lù, cây lồng đèn, or cây bùm bốp in Vietnamese.

Cape Gooseberry is a wild-growing plant native to the tropical regions of America.

Characteristics of Cape Gooseberry

Being a member of the Nightshade family, Cape Gooseberry shares similar characteristics with plants like eggplants and tomatoes. Specifically:

Stem: Cape Gooseberry is a herbaceous plant with a branched stem that can grow up to 50-90 cm tall.

Leaves: The leaves are green, oval-shaped, and arranged alternately on the stem.

Flowers: The flowers grow singly from the leaf axils, with a slightly slender stalk.

Fruits: The fruits are small and round, resembling tiny tomatoes. They are enclosed in a thin, green, lantern-like calyx that makes a popping sound when crushed. As the fruits ripen, they turn red and develop a sweet and sour taste.

Nutritional Content of Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry is packed with nutrients beneficial to human health. Per 100g of Cape Gooseberry fruit, you can find the following nutrients:

11g of alkaloids

1.5g of protein, 0.5g of fat, and 0.5g of carbohydrates

12mg of calcium, 8mg of phosphorus, 39mg of vitamin C, 1.3mg of carotene, and 0.1mg of vitamin B1

Trace minerals such as 1.6 mg of iron, 28mg of potassium, etc.

2. Distinguishing Cape Gooseberry from Male Lu Lu

Distinguishing Cape Gooseberry from Male Lu Lu

Due to their similar appearances, Cape Gooseberry is often confused with Male Lu Lu. Here’s how to tell them apart:

Flowers: Male Lu Lu flowers grow in clusters at the top of the leaf axils, whereas Cape Gooseberry flowers grow singly. The individual flowers of Male Lu Lu have wider-spreading petals.

Fruits: Male Lu Lu fruits grow in clusters and are round. The unripe fruits are pure green and turn purple to dark purple when ripe. In contrast, Cape Gooseberry fruits are light green and turn red when ripe, and they are individually enclosed in a papery calyx of the same color.

Taste: Male Lu Lu fruits have a bitter-sweet taste, while Cape Gooseberry fruits are sweet and sour with a slight astringent taste, according to some people.

3. Health Benefits of Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry is not only a culinary herb but also a valuable medicinal plant in traditional Eastern medicine.

Promotes Body Cooling and Detoxification

Cape Gooseberry can be prepared in various dishes, offering a unique, refreshing, and cooling taste. Consuming Cape Gooseberry helps cool down the body and detoxify, especially during hot summer days.

Prevents Heart Disease and Reduces Cholesterol Levels

The vitamin A and vitamin C in Cape Gooseberry help lower cholesterol levels in the blood, eliminate free radicals, improve blood circulation, and prevent heart disease and stroke.

Prevents Muscle Tissue Damage

The vitamin C content in Cape Gooseberry helps prevent and reduce pain and damage to muscle tissues.

Cancer Treatment

Certain compounds in Cape Gooseberry have been found to be effective in treating lung, stomach, colorectal, and oral cancers. Additionally, it helps prevent and destroy malignant cells in the body, reducing the risk of tumor formation.

Improves Eye Health

The vitamin A content in Cape Gooseberry helps reduce eye dryness and improves eye function in both bright and dark environments. It also prevents cataracts by strengthening the retina.

Boosts Immune System

Cape Gooseberry enhances the immune system with its rich content of vitamins A and C, improving iron absorption and increasing the body’s resistance to infections. It also helps reduce fever in children.

Treats Diabetes and Prevents Urinary Stones

The vitamin C in Cape Gooseberry increases insulin sensitivity, making it useful in treating diabetes. Meanwhile, vitamin A contributes to the formation of calcium phosphate, which prevents urinary stones.

4. Traditional Medicine Recipes with Cape Gooseberry

Traditional Medicine Recipes with Cape Gooseberry

Cape Gooseberry is widely used in traditional Eastern medicine due to its remarkable health benefits. Here are some medicinal recipes using Cape Gooseberry:

Recipe for Treating Diabetes

Use 40g of fresh Cape Gooseberry and boil it with 1.5 liters of water for 20 minutes. Drink the decoction 30 minutes before meals, three times a day, for a month.

Recipe for Treating Liver Tumors

Take a handful of dried Cape Gooseberry and Diệp hạ châu (another traditional medicinal herb) and boil them with water. Drink the decoction daily for about a month.

Recipe for Treating Sore Throat and Cough

Boil 15-30g of dried Cape Gooseberry (or 50-100g of fresh leaves) with water and drink the decoction for 3-5 days. It is recommended to prepare a fresh batch daily and not keep the decoction overnight.

Recipe for Treating Breast Abscess and Boils

Pound 40-80g of fresh Cape Gooseberry leaves, squeeze the juice, and drink it. Apply the remaining pulp on the affected area or cook it with water and use the liquid to wash the wound daily.

Note

– The recommended daily dosage of Cape Gooseberry is up to 80g of fresh leaves or 20-40g of dried leaves.
– Ensure adequate water intake (1.5-2 liters per day) and consume plenty of vegetables and fruits with low sugar content.
– Limit the consumption of high-protein and high-fat foods.
– Engage in regular physical activities.

5. Delicious Cape Gooseberry Recipes

Delicious Cape Gooseberry Recipes

With its unique health benefits and flavor, Cape Gooseberry can be prepared in various delicious dishes. Here are some recipes to try:

Boiled Cape Gooseberry

The simplest way to prepare Cape Gooseberry is by boiling it, which retains most of its nutrients. This cooking method also helps prevent cancer and fights against bacteria and fungi.

Stir-fried Cape Gooseberry with Garlic

Stir-frying Cape Gooseberry with garlic enhances its sweet and slightly bitter taste, creating a delicious dish that helps cool down the body during hot summers and improves bone and joint health.

See also: Cape Gooseberry Stir-fried with Beef

Stir-fried Cape Gooseberry with Beef

Combining fresh beef with the sweet and slightly bitter taste of Cape Gooseberry creates a nutritious dish rich in vitamin B6 and protein. It also helps treat sore throat.

Crab Soup with Cape Gooseberry

The sweet and refreshing taste of Cape Gooseberry blends well with the sweetness of crab in this soup. This dish helps treat boils and provides calcium to the body.

6. Can Pregnant Women Eat Cape Gooseberry?

Benefits of Cape Gooseberry for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women often need to be cautious about their diet, choosing foods that are nutritious and safe for both mother and child. Cape Gooseberry, with its rich nutritional content, offers several benefits for pregnant women without any harmful effects.

According to Eastern medicine, the roots of Cape Gooseberry help regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes, a common condition during pregnancy.

The vitamin C content in Cape Gooseberry boosts the immune system, protecting pregnant women from common ailments like colds and flu.

Although it is a wild-growing plant, Cape Gooseberry offers remarkable health benefits. We have introduced you to the wonders of Cape Gooseberry, and we hope you will explore and enjoy its benefits with your family!

Frequently asked questions

The Tam Bóp plant, scientifically known as Sauropus androgynus, is a leafy green vegetable native to Southeast Asia. It is a nutrient-rich superfood that has gained popularity for its delicious taste and extensive health benefits.

Tam Bóp leaves are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, and iron. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and protein. Additionally, the plant contains high levels of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against disease and promote overall health.