Lettuce, also known as lettuce shoots, lettuce stems, thousand-gold vegetable, or fragrant horse shoots, refers to the stems and leaves of Lactuca sativa, a plant in the Asteraceae family. It is one of the primary winter and spring vegetables, widely cultivated throughout the Yangtze River basin. The saying "Spring lettuce is as precious as gold" hints at its health benefits.
Lettuce is cool in nature, with a bitter and sweet taste. It enters the large intestine, liver, and stomach meridians, possessing the functions of clearing heat, draining dampness, unblocking meridians, and promoting lactation. It is suitable for conditions such as difficulty urinating, hematuria, and insufficient lactation after childbirth caused by damp-heat in the spleen and stomach.The Daily Materia Medica states it "benefits the five viscera, strengthens tendons and bones, clears diaphragmatic heat, unblocks meridians, eliminates bad breath, whitens teeth, and sharpens eyesight."Researchers at Boston University discovered that lettuce contains natural folic acid. Pregnant women consuming lettuce and other folate-rich foods during gestation supports normal fetal spinal cord development and reduces the risk of neural tube defects in infants by 50% to 70%.
Nutritional analysis indicates this vegetable contains protein, carbohydrates, carotene, B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The stems and leaves of lettuce contain a white milky sap called lactucarium, which possesses analgesic and anesthetic effects. It stimulates digestive fluid secretion, promotes appetite, improves liver function, and helps combat rheumatic diseases and gout.
Lettuce is highest in potassium, which promotes urination and reduces pressure on the heart chambers, making it highly beneficial for those with hypertension or heart disease. It contains trace amounts of iodine, a mineral crucial for basal metabolism, mental and physical development, and even emotional regulation. Thus, lettuce possesses sedative properties; regular consumption helps alleviate tension, stabilize mood, and improve sleep.Below are several therapeutic recipes using lettuce, to be selected under the guidance of a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner.
1. Lettuce Porridge
150g lettuce, 50g rice, seasonings to taste. Peel, wash, and chop the lettuce.Rinse the rice, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil, then add the lettuce. Cook until the porridge is done, add seasonings, and boil for another minute or two. Take one serving daily for one week.
This recipe clears heat and drains dampness, suitable for women with functional edema, dry mouth with a bitter taste, yellowish-smelly vaginal discharge, heavy and sluggish limbs, or postpartum lactation deficiency or insufficient milk production.
2
Lettuce and Sichuan Pepper Porridge
50g lettuce, 2g Sichuan pepper powder, 100g rice, seasonings to taste. Wash lettuce and chop finely; grind Sichuan pepper into fine powder.Rinse rice thoroughly, add sufficient water, and cook into porridge. When nearly done, stir in lettuce, Sichuan pepper powder, and seasonings. Boil for another minute or two. Take once daily for 7–10 consecutive days. Also beautifies teeth and skin, suitable for yellowing teeth and weak enamel.
3
Lettuce and Lotus Seed Porridge
100g lettuce, 10g lotus seeds, 50g rice, seasoning to taste. Peel and chop the lettuce. Soak lotus seeds until softened. Cook in water until tender, then add lettuce and rice. Simmer into a thin porridge.Take one serving daily for one week.
This clears heat and drains dampness, suitable for women with functional edema, dry mouth with bitterness, yellow foul-smelling vaginal discharge, and heavy, sluggish limbs.
4
Stir-Fried Lettuce with Pork Slices
400g lettuce, 100g lean pork, 10g rehydrated black fungus, seasonings to taste. Peel and wash the lettuce, halve lengthwise, then slice into diamond shapes. Rinse the rehydrated black fungus and cut into small pieces. Wash scallions and ginger, then shred finely.Slice the lean pork thinly, then mix with salt and a small amount of wet starch until well combined. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until moderately hot. Add scallions and ginger, stir-frying until fragrant. Pour in broth, salt, and Shaoxing wine, bringing to a boil. Add pork slices, separating them with a spatula until cooked through. Add lettuce slices and wood ear mushrooms. Thicken with wet starch slurry, drizzle with sesame oil, and transfer to a serving dish.Serve once daily.
Clears heat, promotes urination, aids weight loss, and enhances physique. Suitable for simple obesity.
5
Cold-Served Lettuce Salad
Lettuce, pickled mustard greens, seasonings to taste.Peel and wash the lettuce, then shred. Rinse the pickled mustard greens and shred. Combine with the lettuce, adding scallions, chili peppers, salt, vinegar, and sesame oil to taste. Toss well. Take 1-2 servings daily.
Clears heat and drains dampness. Suitable for damp-heat descending, causing painful and difficult urination.