Meet the wonder herb, Man Tuoi – a humble plant with an impressive list of benefits.
Growing to an average height of 50 cm to 1 meter, Man Tuoi boasts a slightly purple stem covered in fine hair, often branching out along its length. Its leaves grow in pairs, with each leaf blade measuring 5–12 cm long and featuring a serrated edge lined with tiny glands on both surfaces.
During spring and early summer, delicate light purple flowers bloom in small clusters at the tips of the branches. The fruits that follow are five-sided and black, typically appearing from September to December.
The humble yet mighty Man Tuoi flowers.
For generations, the highland communities of Vietnam have embraced Man Tuoi as a culinary herb, adding its young shoots to their daily meals. These tender shoots are either consumed raw like basil or finely chopped and incorporated into dishes such as stuffed pig or dog intestines, or stir-fries, enhancing both flavor and nutritional value.
Beyond its culinary uses, Man Tuoi is revered for its medicinal properties, which are less widely known. In traditional Eastern medicine, Man Tuoi is believed to possess a pungent taste and neutral nature, benefiting the liver and spleen meridians. It is said to activate blood circulation, reduce swelling, promote diuresis, and possess antiseptic properties. Notably, it is also believed to break up blood stasis, a condition often associated with postpartum recovery or trauma.
The young shoots of Man Tuoi, a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.
Folk wisdom also touts the leaves of Man Tuoi as an effective remedy against lice, nits, and mites, earning it the moniker of “mountain miracle” among highland families.
Modern scientific research has shed light on additional potential benefits of Man Tuoi, suggesting that it may aid in treating conditions such as menstrual disorders, postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis, edema, dizziness, skin eruptions, and itching.
Currently, this remarkable herb fetches a price of around 250,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the season and availability.
Growing Your Own Man Tuoi: A Simple Guide
Not only is Man Tuoi prized for its medicinal properties, but it is also remarkably easy to cultivate, thriving in Vietnam’s tropical climate. Home gardeners can propagate this herb through either stem cuttings or seed germination, with stem cuttings being the more popular method.
Spring is the ideal season to start growing Man Tuoi. Choose a stem cutting approximately 10–30 cm long, ensuring it has a portion of the basal part. Place it diagonally into the soil so that two-thirds of its length is covered.
Within 7–10 days, the cutting will develop roots and sprout if kept adequately moist. Alternatively, you can purchase young plants from nurseries and transplant them into your garden.
Man Tuoi, a low-maintenance herb that thrives with minimal care.
Man Tuoi thrives in moist, sunny conditions but can also tolerate partial shade. Water regularly during dry seasons, and provide a light application of diluted nitrogen fertilizer after each harvest to promote growth. However, during the rainy season, pay attention to planting density and thin out the plants if necessary to prevent rot.
Within 3–4 months of planting your cuttings, you’ll be able to harvest the leaves and stems for culinary or medicinal use.
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