For a healthy spring, why not try some wild vegetables?

As spring awakens and nature comes back to life, it's the season for wild vegetables to begin growing. Modern people are starting to pay more attention to these natural wild vegetables. Some wild vegetables are rich in nutrients and have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and liver-clearing effects. If you're planning to eat wild vegetables in spring, don't miss the following ones.

Shepherd's Purse: Nourishes the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach

Shepherd's purse has antioxidant properties. Eating it fresh during its peak season offers both delicious taste and health benefits, a true win-win. Also known as "life-protecting grass," "shepherd's purse," or "chicken heart vegetable," it is now cultivated throughout China in addition to being found in the wild. Traditional medical texts, such as the "Compendium of Materia Medica," note that it "improves vision and benefits the stomach." The "名医别录" (Famous Physicians' Manual of Materia Medica) describes it as "sweet, warm, and non-toxic. It harmonizes liver qi and is a superior choice for harmonizing the middle jiao." The "日用本草" (Daily Use Materia Medica) states it "cools the liver and improves vision." Eating shepherd's purse during the spring, a time for liver nourishment, is perfectly in season.

Leaves of Three: Clears Heat and Moistens Dryness

Leaves of three, also known as "duckweed," "water celery," or "Hottentot fig," have a soft and smooth texture with a rich, savory flavor. They are sweet and fragrant, and have the effect of moistening the intestines and clearing heat toxins. Leaves of three can maintain normal heart muscle activity and prevent muscle spasms. This is because they are rich in iron, which helps synthesize hemoglobin in red blood cells, a function that carries oxygen. At the same time, they are rich in calcium and vitamin K, which can promote blood clotting and blood production.

Malan Head: Clears Heat and Improves Vision

Malan head, also known as Malan, "crab head grass," or "field-side chrysanthemum," grows in most roadside and field areas in China and is also cultivated. Malan head is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, fat, calcium, iron, and more. It has a pungent, cooling nature and clears heat and toxins. It is used as a dietary therapy for oral ulcers, sore throat, nosebleeds, and dysentery. When we cook Malan head and add seasonings, it becomes delicious and is a favorite vegetable in many households. It also has certain medicinal value, and regular consumption can help clear heat and improve vision.

Sonchus oleraceus: Clears Heat, Dries Dampness

Sonchus oleraceus clears heat and detoxifies, offering significant benefits to the body. It grows in most parts of China and is also known as "bitter mushroom vegetable," "endive," or "patrinia." As its name suggests, Sonchus oleraceus is bitter and cold in nature, clearing heat and toxins, reducing swelling, and draining pus. Sonchus oleraceus also contains vitamin C, a large amount of iron, protein, fat, carbohydrates, carotene, vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, and more. Eating it at this time can clear heat from the blood, reduce internal heat, and lessen the occurrence of colds and other illnesses caused by internal heat.

Amaranth: Nourishes Yin and Moistens Dryness

Amaranth, also known as "duckweed," "water celery," or "Hottentot fig," has a soft and smooth texture with a rich, savory flavor. It is sweet and fragrant, and has the effect of moistening the intestines and clearing heat toxins. Amaranth can maintain normal heart muscle activity and prevent muscle spasms. This is because it is rich in iron, which helps synthesize hemoglobin in red blood cells, a function that carries oxygen. At the same time, it is rich in calcium and vitamin K, which can promote blood clotting and blood production.

Cirsium setosum: Cools Blood and Dispels Stasis

Cirsium setosum contains strong vitamins and grows in most areas. Cirsium setosum is the whole herb or root of the *Cirsium setosum* plant of the Asteraceae family. It grows in most parts of China, is highly adaptable, and can be seen on roadsides,沟岸 (gou an - ditch banks), and in fields. People often call it "little thistle" or "thistle vegetable." Cirsium setosum contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, vitamin B, vitamin B2, niacin, and vitamin C. In addition, it also contains alkaloids, choline, and saponins.

Eating a moderate amount of wild vegetables in spring is greatly beneficial to health. They clear heat and toxins, which helps with spring detoxification. If you want to achieve a healthier body this spring, eat some wild vegetables!