Sonchus oleracea, also known as sow thistle, has a yellowish-white stem; its leaves are round-lanceolate, green on the surface and grey-green on the back; and its flowers are bright yellow.
Sonchus oleracea is rich in elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, etc. It can clear heat, reduce swelling, resolve stasis and detoxify, and cool the blood to stop bleeding. Sonchus oleracea has an inhibitory effect on acute lymphocytic leukemia, as well as acute and chronic granulocytic leukemia.
The young leaves of Sonchus oleracea can be harvested for food. They are slightly bitter when eaten raw, but the bitterness can be removed by blanching them in boiling water. Sonchus oleracea can be stir-fried with meat, made into soup, or mixed with soybean flour to make small tofu. It can also be blanched in boiling water and dipped in bean paste, or made into vegetable cakes with flour. Other dishes include sesame sauce mixed with Sonchus oleracea, or Sonchus oleracea porridge.