The crisp and refreshing lotus root is called "Linggen" in Compendium of Materia Medica! Eating raw lotus root helps to clear away heat, promote fluid production, cool blood and stop bleeding; Cooked and eaten, it has the effects of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, invigorating qi and nourishing blood. There is a saying on the Internet that "eating lotus roots in summer can cool off the heat". In the summer when the temperature is rising, can eating lotus root still relieve fever and summer heat? Listen to what Chinese medicine says.

Lotus root is rich in nutrition and has been a panacea for clearing away heat and relieving summer heat since ancient times.

Li Xiangping, the attending physician of gynecology of traditional Chinese medicine in the Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, introduced that lotus root is the rhizome of lotus root, and its varieties are divided into fruit lotus root, fresh lotus root and old lotus root according to the marketing season. Fruit lotus root was listed in July, fresh lotus root appeared in Mid-Autumn Festival at 65438+ 10, and old lotus root was produced all year round. Lotus root is rich in nutritional value and contains a lot of minerals such as starch, protein, vitamin B, vitamin C, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus and iron. It is a delicious food for all ages.

The hot summer is also the season when lotus flowers and lotus flowers bloom in all parts of Taiwan Province Province. Yang Wanli, a poet in the Southern Song Dynasty, mentioned in his poem "Seeing the Woods at Jingci Temple" that "after all, in June, the scenery of the West Lake was different from that at four o'clock, and the lotus leaves were infinite the next day, and the lotus flowers were different colors. Lotus root has been one of the tonics for clearing away heat and relieving summer heat in summer since ancient times.

There are many benefits of eating lotus root, which are recorded in many ancient books.

Lotus root is sweet and non-toxic, and enters the heart, spleen and stomach. According to Compendium of Materia Medica, lotus root can "help digestion, relieve diarrhea, relieve vexation, relieve hangover, restrain appetite and thirst after illness". It is mentioned in the Addendum to the Outline that lotus root powder "regulates appetite, tonifies marrow and blood, dredging meridians, clearing exterior heat, calming the nerves and enlightening, relieving summer heat and promoting fluid production, helping digestion and stopping diarrhea".

The efficacy of lotus root is recorded in more detail in the famous dietotherapy and health-preserving book Suixiju Diet Spectrum in Qing Dynasty: "Raw food can promote fluid production, remove blood stasis, quench thirst and relieve annoyance, stimulate appetite and digestion, cure cholera and dry mouth, cure postpartum boredom, stop bleeding and relieve pain; Cooked food supplements deficiency, nourishes heart and produces blood, stimulates appetite and relieves depression, and relieves diarrhea and hunger. 」

Eating lotus root can relieve summer heat? Doctor: Lotus root can promote fluid production, strengthen spleen and stimulate appetite.

Dr. Li Xiangping pointed out that from the perspective of Chinese medicine, eating lotus root vegetables in summer mainly has the following two functions:

1. Jinsheng: Lotus root tastes sweet and has a particularly good effect on symptoms such as dry mouth, upset, constipation and insomnia in summer. It is suggested that people who are prone to thirst, dry throat and irritability can make five-juice drinks with fresh lotus root, sugarcane, water chestnut, pear and Ophiopogon japonicus.

2. Spleen and appetite: Lotus root exudes a unique fragrance and also contains tannin, which has the function of strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea. It can also stimulate appetite and digestion, stimulate appetite and strengthen the spleen, and help to relieve symptoms such as heatstroke, diarrhea, indigestion and loss of appetite in hot days.

Not only do you know the seven benefits of lotus root in relieving summer heat and reducing fever once.

Dr. Li Xiangping said that lotus root not only relieves summer heat and reduces fever, but also has the functions of nourishing yin and promoting fluid production, moistening lung and relieving cough, invigorating spleen and benefiting qi, removing blood stasis and reducing swelling, cooling blood and stopping bleeding, relieving alcoholism and stopping vomiting. Cooked food is sweet and warm, and has the effects of invigorating spleen and stomach, nourishing heart and blood, promoting granulation and stopping diarrhea, tonifying deficiency of five internal organs and strengthening bones and muscles, and has the following seven effects:

1. Hemostasis: Lotus root node contains tannic acid and vitamin K, which has the effect of contracting blood vessels. Fresh lotus root is cold, and it is mostly used to cool blood and stop bleeding. For nosebleeds, hemoptysis and blood in sputum, it can be decocted with fresh lotus root, fresh cogongrass rhizome water or raw arborvitae leaves.

2. Removing blood stasis: The ancient book says: "Lotus root juice can eliminate blood stasis and keep it. Therefore, eating raw lotus root or mashing juice wine can break blood and remove blood stasis, reduce swelling and detoxify. Chinese medicine believes that stopping bleeding without leaving blood stasis is a good dietotherapy method.

3. Runchang laxative: Lotus root is rich in dietary fiber and mucin, but the calories are not high, so it can control weight, help reduce blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, promote intestinal peristalsis, and prevent constipation and hemorrhoids. Fresh lotus root and ginger juice can also treat intestinal inflammation.

4. Nourishing blood and promoting granulation: Lotus root is rich in trace elements such as copper, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium and manganese, and also rich in protein, vitamins and starch, which has obvious functions of invigorating qi and blood and enhancing human immunity. Especially in tuber foods, lotus root has a high iron content, and people with iron deficiency anemia are most suitable for eating lotus root. Lotus root starch is a good product for nourishing yin and blood, and it is easy to be absorbed. People with anemia, fatigue and loss of appetite can take it, which has the functions of resisting anemia and promoting blood production.

5. Calm the nerves: Lotus root contains vitamin B family (especially B6), which helps to reduce irritability, relieve headache and stress, thus improving mood and reducing the risk of heart disease.

6. Eliminating phlegm and relieving cough: Now the air quality is poor, you can also use fresh lotus root juice to relieve cough, relieve jaundice, relieve asthma and stop tracheal inflammation. Hot lotus root tea has the effect of relieving cough and resolving phlegm.

7. Anti-aging and cancer prevention: Vitamin C and polyphenols in fresh lotus root can improve immunity, delay aging and prevent cancer.

People with cold constitution or weak spleen and stomach had better cook lotus root before eating.

Although raw lotus root has many functions, not everyone can eat it. Li Xiangping, a Chinese medicine practitioner, reminds people who are prone to flatulence, diarrhea, cold, cold hands and feet, etc. People with cold constitution or spleen and stomach weakness should not eat more raw lotus root, which is cold and difficult to digest and hinders the spleen and stomach. It is recommended to eat cooked lotus root.

How to choose and cook lotus root? Three principles for doctors not to hide secrets.

Dr. Li Xiangping reminded the public to pay special attention to the following three points when selecting or cooking lotus roots:

Key points 1/ Lotus roots should be yellow-brown, thick-white, black, flat and smelly, and should not be eaten.

Point 2/ Fresh and complete lotus roots can be kept for a week at room temperature, but cut lotus roots should not be kept for a long time. Lotus root will turn brown quickly after peeling, and it can be soaked in diluted white vinegar for 5 minutes to restore the whiter color.

Point 3/ Don't use an iron pot to cook lotus roots, so as not to turn black when cooking. In addition, when frying lotus roots, you can add some water while frying, so that the fried lotus roots will not turn black.