Is Qianjincai (celtuce) the same as lettuce? Differences, benefits, and who should not eat too much

Celtuce, also known as Qianjincai, is highly adaptable and can be cultivated in spring and autumn or overwintered, mainly cultivated in spring and harvested in summer. So is celtuce the same as lettuce? What are the differences? What are the benefits and effects of celtuce? What should be noted when eating celtuce?

1. Is celtuce the same as lettuce? What are the differences?

Celtuce, also called lettuce, is a variety of the lettuce species in the Asteraceae family, Lactuca genus, that can form a fleshy tender stem, and is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant. Also known as stem lettuce, asparagus lettuce, green lettuce, and wosun.

Celtuce has tender flesh, and its stem can be eaten raw, in cold dishes, stir-fried, dried, or pickled. Romaine lettuce is mainly eaten for its leaves or leaf heads. The stems and leaves of lettuce contain lactucin, which tastes bitter, with the bitterness being stronger under high temperature and drought. It can enhance gastric juice, stimulate digestion, and increase appetite, and has analgesic and hypnotic effects.

But strictly speaking, lettuce and celtuce are not the same vegetable. Lettuce is not celtuce, while celtuce can be considered a type of lettuce.

Because what we usually call lettuce is actually romaine lettuce, which is a type of lettuce and is mainly eaten for its leaves. Celtuce is also a type of lettuce and is mainly eaten for its stem.

So lettuce is a general term for this category of vegetables, while celtuce is only a subcategory under this general category, not different names for the same vegetable.

2. Benefits and effects of celtuce

Traditional Chinese medicine holds that celtuce is cool in nature and sweet-bitter in taste, and can detoxify and benefit the five internal organs, clear heat and promote urination, calm the mind and aid sleep, whiten teeth and improve eyesight, and has auxiliary therapeutic effects on difficult urination, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and insufficient lactation after childbirth.

1. Cleansing the intestines and relieving constipation

Fresh celtuce contains a large amount of dietary fiber and water. It can promote intestinal peristalsis, speed up food digestion, help with bowel movements, and prevent constipation.

2. Increasing appetite

The stems and leaves of celtuce contain lactucin, which tastes bitter. It can stimulate gastric juice secretion, promote digestion, and increase appetite.

3. Calming and aiding sleep

The milky sap in the stems and leaves of celtuce contains a sweet and slightly bitter component—inulin-type substances, which have calming and sleep-aiding effects.

4. Weight loss and slimming

Celtuce has a high water content, contains a large amount of dietary fiber, is low in fat and calories, and is high in potassium. It can relieve constipation and promote urination, cleanse the intestines and detoxify, and can play a role in weight loss and slimming.

5. Lowering blood sugar

Celtuce has a relatively high niacin content, which can enhance the action of insulin, has the ability to regulate blood sugar levels, and reduces the occurrence of diabetes. People with diabetes who regularly eat celtuce can improve glucose metabolism.

6. Lowering blood pressure

Celtuce is rich in trace elements, especially potassium. Potassium ions entering the human body help balance water and electrolytes, playing a role in promoting urination, promoting lactation, and reducing swelling, and is especially suitable for people with high blood pressure, heart disease, and edema.

3. Who should not eat too much?

1. Women during menstruation should not eat cold celtuce dishes

Celtuce is cold in nature. Women during menstruation who eat it may experience poor menstrual flow and irregular menstruation, worsening menstrual pain symptoms.

2. People with weak spleen and stomach or a cold constitution should not eat much

Celtuce is a cold-natured food and also stimulates gastric juice secretion. People with a cold-deficiency constitution or poor spleen and stomach will feel even colder after eating it.

3. People with eye diseases should not eat too much

Ancient books record that lettuce is toxic and people should not eat too much of it. Eating too much can cause blurred vision, and if poisoned by it, ginger juice can be used as an antidote. So people with eye diseases should not eat too much celtuce.

4. Know when to stop

Celtuce should be eaten in moderation. Eating a large amount may cause poisoning symptoms such as dizziness and drowsiness, and may also cause night blindness.