In Japan, water bamboo is also known as “water oats”. Chinese medicine considers water bamboo to be cold in nature and sweet in taste. It relieves heat in the body, neutralizes toxins, eliminates distressing thirst, and facilitates urination and excretion. It also cures excess heat, thirst, jaundice, dysentery, red eye, and sores. Since bamboo is inherently cold, it should be cooked with warm seasoning such as ginger. However, white bamboo also contains oxalic acid and oxalate calcium, which are difficult to dissolve. Therefore, people with kidney stones or urinary tract stones should only consume bamboo in moderation.
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Bamboo fungus of prime quality should be light yellow, with a short but thick stalk that has a smooth surface. It should have a pleasant natural smell and not be bent or broken. To preserve properly, it should be stored in a dry place that has air circulation and must not have any direct contact with sunlight.
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Soybean sprouts are shaped like the Chinese jade ornament known as ruyi, which means “as you will.” Soybean sprouts have been around since the Warring States Period, and were called “yellow curls” and used primarily for medicinal purposes at the time. Soybean sprouts contain raw protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. They also contain an especially high concentration of Vitamin C.
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Cabbages contain vitamins A, C and many others, and have higher vitamin content than that of peaches, pears, apples, or tomatoes. Cabbages contain essential trace elements, ranking fifth among all the vegetables. Not only is the calcium content of cabbages four times that of Japanese cucumbers and seven times that of tomatoes, they also have lots of manganese, which facilitates metabolism. Therefore, cabbages can aid in children’s growth and development.
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Avocadoes contain vegetable fat, proteins, carotene, and vitamin B complexes, as well as vitamins C and E, fiber, and minerals. Unsaturated fatty acids and high density lipoproteins (HDL) HDL can lower cholesterol levels and prevent coronary artery disease. Avocadoes also contain antioxidants and are good for the skin and help to decrease the effects of the aging process. Therefore, the Guinness World Records ranks avocadoes as highest in nutritional value.
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Green beans are good for replenishing blood, clarifying vision, and preventing beri beri. They are also an effective laxative. However, green beans contain two toxins: hemagglutinin and saponin, which stimulate the gastrointestinal system and cause red blood cells to coagulate or undergo hemolysis. Nevertheless, these toxins will disintegrate at temperatures higher than 100ºC. Therefore, green beans must be fully cooked before eating.
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