What are the effects and benefits of Nymphoides peltata? Understanding its main value in one article

Most people's knowledge of Nymphoides peltata begins with the line "uneven grows the Nymphoides peltata" in the "Book of Songs · Guan Ju," yet their understanding of Nymphoides peltata also begins and ends right there. What kind of powerful functions does this Nymphoides peltata actually have that made the author of the Book of Songs mention it repeatedly? Below, Qinnong Network will lead everyone to get to know this familiar yet unfamiliar "flower"!

In fact, the uses of Nymphoides peltata go far beyond what everyone reads in the Book of Songs, where it seems it can only be picked while swaying left and right. Nymphoides peltata is a shallow-water plant native to our country, with leaves like those of a water lily, small and delicate, and bright yellow flowers. The flowers also have a long blooming period of about 150 days. What specific uses does Nymphoides peltata have? Let us take a look together.

I. The ornamental value of Nymphoides peltata

The leaves of Nymphoides peltata are small and distinctive, resembling those of a water lily. Its bright yellow flowers rise above the water surface, bringing a touch of brightness to the world with yellow amid the green. It has many flowers and a long blooming period, making it one of the best choices for accenting water features in courtyards. Of course, planting it in a water basin about 10 cm in size for indoor viewing is also entirely possible.

II. The medicinal value of Nymphoides peltata

Nymphoides peltata is generally harvested in summer and autumn and used after drying. It has good effects in clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, and has a very good curative effect on treating carbuncles, swellings and sores, heat strangury, and painful urination.

III. The edible value of Nymphoides peltata

1. Eating Nymphoides peltata

The stems and leaves of Nymphoides peltata are tender and juicy, non-toxic, tasteless, and rich in nutrients. In the past, it was feed for pigs, ducks, and geese, and grass carp also rather like eating Nymphoides peltata. People in surrounding areas like to gather Nymphoides peltata leaves to feed pigs, making it a very good aquatic green feed. Nymphoides peltata grows quickly and has many branches, and can be harvested four times during the growing period. Now, the quantity of Nymphoides peltata is gradually decreasing, and people have also discovered its nutritional value, picking it to eat one after another.

2. How to eat Nymphoides peltata:

Now, since Nymphoides peltata can be eaten, Qinnong Network will also tell everyone how to eat it here. Nymphoides peltata can be cooked together with mung beans into Nymphoides peltata and mung bean porridge. The specific method is: first wash the mung beans and soak them in warm water for 2 hours, rinse the japonica rice clean, remove the stems from the Nymphoides peltata flowers, remove the flower stalks and impurities, and wash the petals clean.

Put the mung beans into a pot, add water, and cook until the beans split open. Add the japonica rice, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to low heat and simmer until the mung beans and rice are cooked and soft. Add the Nymphoides peltata flowers, stir a few times, add white sugar to season, and it is ready to eat.

The above are the main uses of Nymphoides peltata. In fact, in the era when the Book of Songs was written, the uses of Nymphoides peltata had probably not been developed into so many kinds, and it was merely used as an ornamental plant. But this also shows that the ornamental value of Nymphoides peltata is very high.