Chinese unicorn plant

Chinese unicorn plant

　　Chinese unicorn plant, also known as purpleback spinach or blood-enriching sprout, is a semi-wild vegetable. Edible and medicinal, it grows vigorously, free from pests and diseases, and does not require pesticide spraying, making it an outstanding example of green, pollution-free vegetables with excellent nutritional and health benefits. Originally introduced from the Kunming World Expo Garden in Yunnan (a gold award-winning product at the Expo). According to analysis: per 100 grams of dry matter contains 1.4–4 grams of calcium, 0.17–0.39 grams of phosphorus, 2.83–4.63 grams of potassium, 1.34–2.52 milligrams of copper, 26–75 milligrams of zinc, and particularly high levels of iron and manganese — 129–209 milligrams of iron and 47–148 milligrams of manganese. It also contains the medicinal component flavonoid glycosides, which can prolong the effect of vitamin C, reduce vascular purpura, enhance resistance to parasites and viruses, and exhibit moderate inhibitory effects on malignant cells.

Practical experience has shown that regular consumption can help treat coughing up blood, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, blood deficiency, bronchitis, heatstroke, amoebic dysentery, and aid in stopping external wounds from bleeding. Chinese unicorn plant can be prepared in various ways: tender shoots and young leaves can be stir-fried with mushrooms (vegetarian), sautéed with meat, or pickled in sweet and sour sauce; they can also be blanched and served cold, used in platters or hot pot ingredients, stir-fried plainly with seasonings such as ginger and garlic, or used as filling or in soups. The leaves are smooth, the stems are refreshing, and the flavor is uniquely distinctive. When boiling, first blanch in boiling water, then add garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil before serving. For cold dishes, first marinate with salt for half an hour, pour off the brine, then add sugar and vinegar. Stir-frying with fermented tofu or spicy sauces enhances the flavor. It is hardy in the wild, can be stored fresh at room temperature for 4–7 days without discoloration or rot, and is currently one of the most ideal nutritious and health-promoting vegetables. To fully leverage its economic and social benefits and meet the needs of urban and rural consumers, Chinese unicorn plant has excellent development potential.