Introduction: Toon, known as the "tree vegetable," are the tender buds of the toon tree. They are not only rich in nutrients but also have high medicinal value. Studies have shown that the vitamin E and sex hormone substances contained in toon have anti-aging and nourishing yang and yin effects, and have a certain therapeutic effect on infertility.
1. Garlic: The taste of garlic is well-known by all, and few people dare to speak after eating it. But did you know? In fact, garlic is known as the "health guard" of mankind. Garlic contains about 0.2% volatile oil, and its main component, allicin, has a bactericidal effect. Modern medical research has proven that garlic has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, can protect the liver, regulate blood sugar, protect the cardiovascular system, resist hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis, and inhibit platelet aggregation. Nutrition experts have found that garlic extract has anti-tumor effects and recommend eating 3-5 grams of raw garlic daily.
In addition, the sulfur compounds in garlic have a strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting and killing various cocci, bacilli, fungi, and viruses. It is the strongest natural antibacterial agent found in plants to date.
2. Scallion: The main nutritional components of scallions are protein, carbohydrates, vitamin A precursor (mainly in the green leaves), dietary fiber, and minerals such as phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. Raw scallions, like onions, contain allyl sulfide. Allyl sulfide stimulates gastric juice secretion and helps to increase appetite. At the same time, when consumed with foods rich in vitamin B1, the starch and sugars in vitamin B1 are converted into energy, enhancing the effect of relieving fatigue.
The green leafy part of the scallion contains more vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium than the white part. Scallions contain a considerable amount of vitamin C, which can dilate small blood vessels, promote blood circulation, help prevent dizziness caused by high blood pressure, keep the brain agile, and prevent senile dementia. People who often eat scallions, even if they are overweight, do not have increased cholesterol and have a strong physique. Moreover, it contains trace element selenium and can reduce the content of nitrite in gastric juice, playing a certain role in preventing gastric cancer and other cancers.
3. Chives: Chives are sweet and warm in nature, with effects such as tonifying the kidneys and yang, dispelling blood and detoxifying, harmonizing the organs, warming the stomach, increasing appetite, removing dampness, and regulating blood. They are particularly beneficial for those with yang deficiency and can alleviate symptoms such as aversion to cold, fear of cold, easy fatigue, drowsiness, frequent urination, and easy diarrhea.
Chives contain many nutrients, especially high in dietary fiber, carotene, and vitamin C. Due to their large amount of dietary fiber, they can increase intestinal peristalsis and keep bowel movements smooth. Chives also contain volatile allyl propyl sulfide, which can increase appetite. In addition, chives have certain medicinal effects; their sulfur compounds can lower blood lipids and are suitable for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
4. Toon: Toon, known as the "tree vegetable," are the tender buds of the toon tree. They are not only rich in nutrients but also have high medicinal value. Studies have shown that the vitamin E and sex hormone substances contained in toon have anti-aging and nourishing yang and yin effects, and have a certain therapeutic effect on infertility.
Don't be fooled by the unique taste of toon; the volatile smell it emits can penetrate the skin of roundworms, preventing them from attaching to the intestinal wall and being expelled from the body. Furthermore, it is an excellent remedy for assisting in the treatment of enteritis, dysentery, and urinary tract infections. Toon is also rich in vitamin C, carotene, etc., and regular consumption can help enhance the body's immune function, moisturize the skin, and provide health and beauty. It should be noted that toon is a "trigger food" that can easily induce the recurrence of chronic illnesses, so patients with chronic diseases should eat it less or not at all.
5. Cilantro: Cilantro is pungent and warm in nature, entering the lung and spleen meridians. It has the effects of inducing sweat to bring out rashes, promoting digestion, and guiding qi downward. It is suitable for colds, measles or rubella with poor eruption, food stagnation, and indigestion. The "Shi Jing" describes it as "regulating food and guiding qi downward," while the "Shi Liao Ben Cao" states it "benefits the five organs, strengthens muscles and tendons, aids digestion, and treats intestinal wind." Nutritional analysis shows that cilantro contains volatile oil, vitamin C, and potassium malate. The aroma of cilantro is caused by the volatile oil composed of alcohols and alkenes and potassium malate, which can increase gastric juice secretion, increase appetite, regulate gastrointestinal motility, and improve digestion after consumption.
In research on cilantro, it was found that cilantro not only contains plant protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and various vitamins, but is also rich in estradiol and estriol. In addition, cilantro is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C, which helps maintain stable blood sugar and prevent cancer.
6. Mustard: Mustard has a strong pungent taste and a strong stimulating effect, which can stimulate blood vessel dilation, enhance the flow of qi and blood in the face, and make the complexion ruddier. Nutrition experts say that the main component of the pungent smell of mustard is isothiocyanate. This component not only prevents cavities but also has certain effects on preventing cancer, preventing vascular plaque deposition, and assisting in the treatment of asthma.
It also has therapeutic effects such as inducing sweat, promoting urination, detoxifying, and purifying the blood; it also helps to increase appetite and promote blood circulation. In addition, mustard also has the effects of preventing hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease, and reducing blood viscosity.
7. Chili Pepper: The spiciness in food is generally provided by capsaicin or volatile sulfur compounds. Capsaicin has a pain-relieving effect and can also increase metabolism, aiding in fat burning. Chili peppers are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, magnesium, and potassium. The capsaicin in chili peppers also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain tumors, and other chronic diseases that increase with age. In several human trials, meals containing chili were found to increase the body's energy expenditure. An article published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" also pointed out that regular consumption of chili can effectively delay the development of atherosclerosis and the oxidation of lipoproteins in the blood.
In addition, people used to think that eating chili often could irritate the stomach and even cause stomach ulcers. But the reality is quite the opposite. Capsaicin not only does not increase gastric acid secretion but inhibits it, stimulating the secretion of alkaline mucus, which helps to prevent and treat stomach ulcers.
8. Durian: Durian has a strong smell, and it's no exaggeration to say it "stinks to high heaven." When trying durian for the first time, many people are "put off" by its unusual smell. Durian is rich in vitamins, with relatively high content of vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Modern medical research has shown that the protein-hydrolyzing enzymes and durian protease extracted from durian juice and peel, when used with antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, can promote drug penetration to the lesion. They can be used for various inflammatory, edematous, and thrombotic conditions such as bronchitis, acute pneumonia, and retinitis.
Nutrition experts believe that durian is "hot" in nature and can invigorate blood and dispel cold, improving symptoms of abdominal coldness and promoting a rise in body temperature, making it an ideal tonic for people with a "cold" constitution. However, traditional Chinese medicine believes that durian is "warm and hot" in nature. Eating too much can cause "dry fire" to rise and lead to symptoms of "damp toxin." In addition, people with a "hot" constitution, sore throat, cough, cold, "yin deficiency" constitution, or sensitive airways should avoid eating durian as it can worsen their condition. Obese individuals and people with kidney or heart disease should also not consume it.