The spring is bright, the breeze is light, and the earth seems to be repainted by the miraculous painter of nature, and it is full of life. Beside the country roads and on the edge of the fields, clumps of tender green wild vegetables are growing wantonly, exuding a unique fragrance that beckons people to explore. Wild onions and dandelions, as star members of the wild vegetable family, have attracted the attention of many diners with their unique flavor and potential nutritional value. Many people take advantage of this beautiful spring sunshine to shuttle through the grass, happily picking these gifts of nature, ready to go home to cook delicious dishes.
However, when everyone is ready to enjoy these wild vegetables with great anticipation, the various statements about wild vegetables in the circle of friends and on the Internet are a little overwhelming. "Wild onions can cause severe allergies" and "Dandelion is taboo and even affects fertility", these rumors are like dark clouds, hanging in the hearts of wild vegetable lovers, and people can't help but have doubts about this seemingly ordinary wild vegetable. Seeing that many friends are shy away from wild vegetables because of these rumors, today I will come to clear the fog for you and tell you the truth about the eating of wild onions and dandelions, so that everyone can eat clearly and with peace of mind.
Wild shallots: the "secret" behind the unique flavor
Wild onions, that unique spicy fragrance, can be described as the "fragrant bait" of the wild vegetable world. In the countryside, the older generation favors it, often saying that wild onions can "pass the five tricks", as if it is a miracle medicine. Walking in the field, if you find a bush of wild onions, the rich aroma will come to your nose, and people can't help but stop. They are slender, with slender leaves and small white flowers on top, swaying gently in the breeze.
In terms of nutritional content, wild onions are indeed a "treasure". It is rich in vitamin C, which is like a small "vitality factor", which can inject energy into the body and enhance immunity; B vitamins act as "lubricants" for the body's functioning, helping the body to function normally. Carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the body, which plays a vital role in eye health, as if putting a "protective shield" on the eyes. In addition, trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron are also indispensable elements for the body to maintain normal physiological functions. Not only that, the allicin and volatile oil contained in wild onions give it the ability to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, like a loyal guard, guarding the body from germs.
However, just as there are two sides to everything, wild onions are not perfect. The online claims that wild onions cause allergies are not unfounded. In the outpatient clinic, I once met such an aunt, she is in good health on weekdays and has no history of food allergies. By chance, after tasting wild onions, my body was abnormal. The whole body was instantly covered with red rashes, itching was unbearable, and the whole person was restless. It was diagnosed that it was the wild onion that triggered the allergic reaction. This situation is an individual difference and is not a universal phenomenon, but it also reminds us that wild onions do contain some substances that are easy to cause allergies, especially for those who are sensitive, and need to be treated with caution.
There are several groups of people who need to pay special attention to the consumption of wild onions. Friends with allergies, especially those who are known to be allergic to onions and garlic foods, wild onions are like a "time bomb", and it is best to stay away. For patients with gastritis and gastric ulcers, their stomachs are already fragile, and the irritation of wild onions is like sprinkling salt on the wound, which may aggravate stomach discomfort and cause symptoms such as pain and acid reflux. People who are taking anticoagulant drugs should also be aware that some ingredients in wild onions may interact with the drug and affect the effectiveness of the drug, just like two gears that are not properly occupied, causing the machine to not function properly.
Dandelion: the deified "liver cleanser"
Dandelion, which has a high reputation among the people, is known as a "natural liver cleanser". In spring, its tender green leaves stretch out in the fields, and its golden flowers are as brilliant as the sun. When the breeze blows, the dandelion seeds are like a small parachute, drifting away with the wind, looking for a new place to grow. Many people will take advantage of this time to pick its tender leaves and prepare them to cook a delicious meal at home.
From a medical and nutritional point of view, dandelion does have a rich connotation. It is rich in vitamin A, which plays an important role in eye health and keeps our eyes bright; Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants that help the body scavenge free radicals and slow down aging like brave warriors. Minerals such as potassium and calcium also play a significant role in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance and bone health. Moreover, dandelion also has a variety of effects such as diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunity-boosting. When it comes to promoting bile secretion, it acts like a diligent "cleaner" to help the liver metabolize toxins and reduce the burden on the liver.
But some taboo rumors about dandelions on the Internet have confused many people. For example, some people say that dandelions affect fertility, but in reality, there is no reliable scientific evidence to support this claim. However, dandelions are not for everyone. It has a strong diuretic effect, and for patients with renal insufficiency, large consumption may increase the excretory burden of the kidneys, like putting a heavier burden on an already exhausted person. Patients with urinary tract stones should also be cautious because diuresis may cause the stones to move and cause uncomfortable symptoms such as pain. In addition, dandelion is cold, for people with spleen and stomach deficiency and frequent diarrhea, it may aggravate the cold in the body after eating, making the already weak spleen and stomach worse. Pregnant women are in a special physiological period and their bodies are more sensitive, so they should also be cautious about eating dandelions. Patients who are taking hypoglycemic and blood pressure-lowering drugs should also be aware that dandelion may enhance the effect of the drug, causing low blood sugar or blood pressure, which can affect physical health.
There are tips for eating wild vegetables safely
Having said all this, I believe that everyone is most concerned about how to eat wild onions and dandelions safely. When it comes to wild onions, it's important to be careful when picking them to make sure they're picking real onions and not poisonous plants that look similar. There have been news reports of people mistakenly picking and eating poisonous quinoa as wild onions, resulting in poisoning and life-threatening results. So, be sure to keep your eyes peeled when picking. After harvesting, wash thoroughly and rinse several times with running water to remove pesticides, dust or other contaminants that may remain on the surface. When cooking, the heating time can be appropriately extended, and the high temperature can destroy the irritating substances in some wild onions, making the taste milder. For those who try wild onions for the first time, it is recommended to eat a small amount first, observe whether the body has adverse reactions, such as rash, itching, abdominal pain, etc., if there is no discomfort, and then gradually increase the amount of consumption.
Dandelion is also particular about eating. When picking, try to choose young leaves, the dandelion at this time has a fresh and tender taste and a relatively light bitterness. The old leaves tend to have coarse and hard fibers and poor taste. It is also important to avoid areas that may be contaminated, such as near factories, along roads, and in fields that have been sprayed with pesticides. After harvesting, soak in brine for a period of time, which not only removes some of the bitterness, but also plays a role in sterilization and disinfection. Dandelion can be eaten in a variety of ways, it can be washed and mixed cold, it can also be fried with eggs, and it can also be used to make soup. In addition, dandelion is also suitable for making tea, after washing and drying dandelion, take an appropriate amount and brew it with boiling water. However, it should be noted that dandelion tea should not be drunk in large quantities for a long time, so as not to cause adverse effects on the body.
Wild onions and dandelions in spring are precious gifts from nature and have unique flavors and nutritional values. As long as we correctly understand their characteristics and eat them reasonably according to our physical condition, we can enjoy delicious food and reap health at the same time. Don't blindly believe some rumors on the Internet, and don't be overly superstitious about the health benefits of wild vegetables. After all, a healthy diet requires variety, and every food is just one part of our healthy life
[This content is a story-based medical and health science article, and any name, place name, or event that appears in the article except for the health science content is artistic processing, and it is not intended to offend or belittle any individual, group or organization. If there is any similarity, it is purely a coincidence, please read it rationally. 】