What on earth is water cabbage? Can I eat it? What kind of harm is there?

Affected by the recent continuous rainfall in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, there are a large number of floating objects on the river surface along the Yangtze River, which looks like algae from a distance, which has a certain impact on ship navigation and berthing. These floating objects that "occupy" the surface of the river are commonly known as water cabbage. What on earth is water cabbage? Can I eat it? What kind of harm is there?

Water cabbage, also known as water lotus or big leaf lotus, is a perennial floating herb, which is monoecious and propagates rapidly. it is the number one natural enemy of agricultural environmental protection and has been listed on the list of the 100 most dangerous invasive species in China. It is an alien species and originated in Brazil. It is now widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. It is also found in many inland lakes in South and East China.

Can I eat water cabbage?

Chinese cabbage is an annual herb. The shallow root, the main root is conical, the fibrous root is well developed, the regeneration ability is strong, and the seedling growth is slow. There are more wild in the Pearl River Delta in China. Chinese cabbage has tender rhizomes and less crude fiber, so it is used as feed for pigs. But in fact, Chinese cabbage is also a kind of Chinese herbal medicine that can be used as a leaf. External application can solve nameless swelling and poison, boil can wash sweat and scar, blood and heat itching, falling and swelling pain and so on.

Perennial floating herbs with well-developed feathery roots hanging in the water. The main stem is short and the leaves are rosette-shaped, the stolons are separated from the axils of the leaves, the new plants are sent out at the top of the stem, and there are bundles of fibrous roots. Leaves clustered, leaf blade Obovate-cuneate, long 2~8cm, tip obtusely round and microwave-shaped, with white fine hairs on both sides. Inflorescence leaves axillary, with short involucral pedicels, flame bracts ca. 1.2cm, white, abaxially hairy. The fruit is a berry with 15 seeds, oval, yellowish brown. The florescence is from June to July.

Efficacy and function of Chinese cabbage

The whole plant is used as pig feed. External application of nameless swelling poison; boiled water can wash sweat scar, blood-heat itching, drop and hit swelling pain; decoction can be taken internally to relieve menstruation, treat edema, adverse urination, sweat rash, sores, Shuigu (Jingzhou). Use leaves as medicine. Harvest in summer and autumn and dry in the sun.

[nature and taste is classics] it is pungent and cool.

[functional indications] expelling wind and sweating, diuresis and detoxification. For colds, edema, adverse urination, rheumatism, skin itching, urticaria, measles impermeable; external use to treat sweat spots, eczema.

[usage dosage] 3: 5 yuan; for external use, apply fresh juice or fry water to wash the affected area.

Ornamental application

In the garden waterscape, it is often used to decorate the water surface. A small pond in the courtyard is planted with a few carps, and then several carps are released to make the environment elegant, natural and interesting. The well-developed root system can absorb harmful substances and excess nutrients directly from the sewage and purify the water body.

Is Chinese cabbage poisonous?

Non-toxic.

Although the effect of dispel wind and sweat, diuresis and detoxification of water cabbage is very good, it is not suitable for everyone to use. Experts say that pregnant women with special physique need to avoid taking it, otherwise it will have an adverse effect on the body. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone should pay attention to it at ordinary times, especially in the dosage, if the partner whose medicine and pharmacology are not clear, it is best to use it after consulting a professional doctor. Is safe and reliable.

The harm of Chinese cabbage

Water cabbage itself has a high nutritional value, but the growth capacity of this plant does exceed the carrying capacity of the environment, everything needs to have a degree, if water cabbage is growing wantonly, then it will cause these hazards:

A large amount of cabbage floats on the river, endangering the safety of the waterway. It can be seen clearly when some large ships are sailing during the day. But when sailing at night, if you see such a large mass of things floating on the river, you may have to worry about a collision, slow down or stop the boat.

Ecological hazards:

The main results are as follows: (1) the root system of Chinese cabbage is well developed, which needs to consume oxygen in the water body during its growth, resulting in low oxygen concentration and asphyxiation of fish in a large area.

(2) the large-scale reproduction of Chinese cabbage will cover the whole surface of the water, resulting in the death and decay of underwater plants that can not carry out photosynthesis, and it will also cause fatal damage to animals in the water body. Moreover, the death and decay of water cabbage itself aggravates the death of animals.