Garlic chives, also known as "Yang-raising grass," are warm in nature and have the effect of tonifying the kidneys and Yang. In spring, when the weather is variable, it is recommended to eat more spring chives to expel cold and disperse Yin. Moreover, in spring, the body's Liver Qi tends to be excessive, affecting the digestive and absorption functions of the spleen and stomach. Eating more spring chives can strengthen the Qi of the spleen and stomach and benefit liver function.
Appetite Enhancement
Garlic chives contain plant-based aromatic volatile oils that can enhance appetite. The elderly, children, pregnant women, and others can benefit their health by eating an appropriate amount of spring chives.
Liver and Stomach Health
Garlic chives contain special ingredients such as volatile essential oils and sulfides, which emit a unique pungent aroma. This helps to regulate Liver Qi, enhance appetite, and improve digestive function.
Blood Stasis Dispersion and Blood Activation
Garlic chives have the effects of dispelling blood stasis, activating blood, and detoxifying. They are beneficial for lowering blood lipids and preventing and treating coronary heart disease, anemia, and arteriosclerosis.
Intestinal Lubrication and Bowel Regulation
Garlic chives are rich in vitamins and coarse fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, treat constipation, and prevent colon cancer.
Bacteriostatic and Anti-inflammatory
The sulfur compounds in garlic chives have certain bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory effects. They can inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa, dysentery, typhoid, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Skin Care and Vision Improvement
Garlic chives are rich in vitamin A. Eating them can not only beautify the skin, improve vision, and moisten the lungs, but also reduce the risk of catching colds, chills, asthma, and other diseases.
Blood Lipid Reduction
Garlic chives have the effects of dispelling blood stasis and detoxifying. They not only effectively lower blood lipids and prevent and treat coronary heart disease, anemia, and arteriosclerosis, so it is advisable to eat an appropriate amount of them.
Qi Tonification and Yang Strengthening
The ancients called garlic chives "Yang-strengthening grass." It can treat symptoms of kidney Qi deficiency such as impotence, frequent urination, lower back pain, and weak legs.
Skin Care
Garlic chives are rich in vitamin A. Eating them can not only beautify the skin and improve vision, but also effectively reduce the risk of catching colds, chills, asthma, and other diseases.
Precautions for Eating Garlic Chives:
(1) Those with excessive Fire due to Yin deficiency should not eat garlic chives. Their warm nature helps Yang and can agitate ministerial Fire, deplete true Yin. Animal experiments have shown that it can cause the tested animals to become manic, convulse, and even die. Therefore, "Ben Cao Qiu Zhen" says: "For those with excessive Fire and Yin deficiency, its use is most contraindicated."
(2) It should not be eaten in large quantities in summer. Summer garlic chives are often aged, with more fiber that is coarse and difficult to absorb. Gastrointestinal function decreases in summer, and eating too much can cause abdominal bloating, discomfort, or diarrhea.
(3) It should not be heated for too long when cooking. Garlic chives are rich in vitamin B, and heating can destroy these beneficial components. The longer the heating time, the more destruction occurs. Therefore, it should not be eaten after prolonged heating.
(4) It should not be eaten raw. Garlic chives should not be eaten raw, just as they should not be heated for too long. Because their fiber content is high and difficult to digest, and unlike green onions and garlic, the edible part cannot be peeled before eating. The part eaten is close to the ground and is often contaminated with microorganisms and parasite eggs. Also, they grow in clusters and are difficult to wash clean, making it easy to contract diseases. Therefore, they are not suitable for eating raw.
(5) It should not be eaten with honey at the same time. Garlic chives are rich in vitamin C. When eaten with honey, the vitamin C can be easily oxidized and lose its effect due to the copper and iron ions in the honey. Furthermore, honey has a slippery nature that promotes bowel movements, and the rich fiber in garlic chives can also lead to diarrhea. Eating them together can cause diarrhea. Therefore, "Ben Pin Hui Jing Yao" says: "It cannot be eaten with honey."
(6) It should not be eaten when taking vitamin K. When taking vitamin K, foods rich in vitamin C should be avoided. This product has a very high content of vitamin C, and taking them together can reduce the efficacy of vitamin K.
(7) It should not be eaten with baijiu (white liquor). It is easy to trigger gastritis and ulcer disease, and can easily lead to liver disease and bleeding disorders.
(8) It should not be eaten with beef. It can easily cause gum inflammation.