Introduction: Cabbage, also known as headed cabbage, is nutritious and has the reputation of being a "natural stomach vegetable."
Why is cabbage good for the stomach?
According to a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, cabbage is rich in various vitamins and amino acids, which can help improve cellular immune function. Patients with tumors, the elderly and weak, and most patients with chronic stomach diseases can consume it regularly.
Cabbage is the stem and leaf of the Brassica oleracea plant of the Brassicaceae family, also known as headed cabbage, foreign cabbage, or round cabbage. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cabbage has the effects of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, relieving pain and spasms, detoxifying and reducing swelling, and clearing heat and promoting urination. It can be used for symptoms such as chest tightness, thirst, sore throat, urinary retention, poor hearing and vision, poor sleep, joint stiffness, and dull abdominal pain caused by internal heat. Its components, such as vitamin C, have analgesic and ulcer-healing effects and were once extracted into medicines for preventing and treating stomach diseases. The trace element molybdenum in cabbage is also effective in removing carcinogens.
Stir-fried Cabbage
Experts also remind that stewing cabbage with Job's tears, dried tangerine peel, and honey can be used to treat epigastric distension and pain, upper abdominal bloating, and gastric and duodenal ulcers. Stewing it with tripe and shredded radish can treat poor appetite, hiccups, and belching. Stewing it with red adzuki beans, winter melon, and rock sugar can reduce swelling and promote urination. It should be noted that due to its effect of promoting urination and bowel movements, people with frequent urination, loose stools, or a weak spleen and stomach should not eat too much.
How to choose cabbage
First, look at the appearance. A cabbage with a smooth surface, no insect holes, and no scars is better.
Second, look at the color. A fresh, bright green color indicates that the cabbage is fresh and has better nutritional value.
Stir-fried Cabbage with Vermicelli
Third, look at the root. If it is light green or slightly white, it means the cabbage is very fresh. If you find that the root has begun to shrivel and lacks moisture, it means it has been stored for a long time, and it is not recommended to buy it.
Finally, check the texture. Generally, for cabbages of the same size, the heavier one is better. Moreover, when you squeeze it with your hand, if it feels hard and difficult to squeeze, it indicates that the cabbage is very fresh.
It should be reminded that if you cannot finish the cabbage immediately, it is best to first cut it in half, scoop out the inner core with a knife, stuff it with kitchen paper, then wrap the whole cabbage with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for cold storage.
Cabbage Stir-fried with Vermicelli