Can He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) be eaten raw? This article gives you a detailed answer
He Shou Wu, also known as Polygonum multiflorum, Zi Wu Teng, Ye Jiao Teng and so on, is a common Chinese herbal medicine. In the classic texts of traditional Chinese medicine, He Shou Wu is believed to have the effect of treating premature graying of beard and hair and soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, so can He Shou Wu be eaten raw?
1. Can He Shou Wu be eaten raw?
It is not recommended to eat He Shou Wu raw; it is generally taken by decocting it in water. Eating He Shou Wu raw is highly irritating to the stomach and intestines and can easily cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. If a large amount of raw He Shou Wu is taken, symptoms such as convulsions of the limbs, respiratory paralysis, or a full-body rash and malaria-like fever may occur.
In modern pharmacology, He Shou Wu can tonify essence and blood, delay the aging of the brain, and significantly increase hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The material basis of its effects on the human body mainly consists of components such as phospholipids, anthraquinones, and glucosides. As long as it is consumed properly, it can basically exert a nourishing effect on the human body.
2. How to consume He Shou Wu
Common ways to consume He Shou Wu include He Shou Wu tea and He Shou Wu stewed chicken soup. The specific method for He Shou Wu tea is to take an appropriate amount of He Shou Wu powder, put it into a thermos, soak it in boiling water for 6 hours, and drink it once the color turns brownish red. After drinking, add an appropriate amount of boiling water to soak it again; when the tea color becomes light, it can be replaced with a new batch. Long-term drinking can prevent hair loss.
The specific method for He Shou Wu stewed chicken soup is to first remove the feathers and internal organs of the chicken, wash it clean, prepare the relevant seasonings, and grind He Shou Wu into powder. Wrap it in 3 layers of white gauze (to prevent the powder from leaking out) and place it inside the chicken cavity. Put water in a clay pot, place the chicken in it, cover it, and cook over high heat for 18 minutes, then take out the He Shou Wu powder. Finally, add yellow wine, refined salt, ginger, salad oil and so on for seasoning, and it is ready to be served.
That is all for He Shou Wu. No matter what kind of food it is, try not to eat it raw. In particular, plants with medicinal value are best consumed according to a doctor's advice or the relevant methods of consumption.