Everyone has probably eaten chili peppers, but few people have eaten chili leaf. In fact, chili leaves are not only edible but also have many benefits when eaten, such as insecticidal and itching relief, swelling reduction, and purification of the meridians, etc. It has a good therapeutic effect on problems such as edema and boils that trouble people. So, how should chili leaves be eaten?

I. Can chili leaves be eaten?

Chili leaves can be eaten.

Chili leaves are rich in calcium, carotene, various vitamins, and other nutrients. They are sweet, fresh, and tender with a good taste. They can be cooked alone, stir-fried with meat, or cooked in soup. Regular consumption of chili leaves can help dispel cold and warm the stomach, nourish the liver and improve eyesight, lose weight and improve appearance. In addition, eating chili leaves in moderation can promote the secretion of gastric juice, increase appetite, and is suitable for people with weak stomach, poor digestion, intestinal bloating, and stomachache.

Chinese researchers have tested the nutritional components of chili leaves, and the study shows that the nutrition of chili leaves is richer than that of chili peppers, with higher contents of various amino acids, minerals, and vitamins than the fruits.

Chili leaves can be stir-fried, similar to sweet potato leaves, and more oil is needed to cook to eliminate the astringent taste. They can also be blanch in oil and salt water, served with soy sauce.

II. What are the eating methods of chili leaves?

Common eating methods include:

1. Cold dish: blanch with boiling water, then cool with cold water, add minced ginger, and cold with salt, soy sauce, and vinegar;

2. Soup: 150 grams of fresh chili leaves, 2 eggs. First, fry the peeled eggs with edible oil until they are yellow, add some clear water, boil for a while, then add the chili leaves to cook together, and finally add salt for seasoning; stir-frying chili leaves with egg paste is also a simple and delicious food therapy.

3. Pancakes: Mix the batter with chili leaves (sliced slightly), add a little salt, and fry or crisp with oil, which can be eaten directly.

In addition, chili leaves can be stir-fried plain, stir-fried with shredded pork, and so on. If chili leaves are added to chicken offal soup, pork liver soup, or fish soup, they taste fresh, smooth, and have a unique flavor.

III. The effects and functions of chili leaves

Relax meridians and activate collaterals

Chili leaves are bitter in taste and warm in nature, with the effect of relaxing meridians and activating collaterals. They can be combined with different Chinese herbs to treat conditions such as frostbite and deep swelling of the heel.

Kill insects and relieve itching

Chili leaves are bitter in taste and warm in nature. They can be used externally to kill insects and relieve itching. When combined with different Chinese herbs, they can be used to treat chronic eczema, scabies, ringworm, alopecia areata, and other diseases.

Nourish blood and strengthen the stomach

Chili leaves are non-toxic and have the effects of dispelling cold, nourishing blood, and strengthening the stomach. Regular consumption can help dispel cold and warm the stomach, remove dampness and strengthen the spleen, and enhance appetite. It is especially effective for people with虚寒type stomachache, with good therapeutic effects through food therapy.

Supplement calcium

Research has found that the calcium content in 100 grams of chili leaves is about 233 milligrams, while the calcium content in the ‘high-calcium milk’ we buy is only 118 milligrams. Therefore, the calcium content of chili leaves and perilla leaves is higher than that of ‘high-calcium milk’.

Anti-cancer

Not only do the iron, calcium, manganese, copper, and zinc contents in chili leaves significantly exceed those in the fruits, but the element selenium, which has anti-cancer effects, is nearly 1.5 times higher than that in the fruits. Therefore, chili leaves have certain anti-cancer effects.

Weight loss

The leaves of chili peppers have weight loss effects because they can burn fat and consume about 25% of the calories in heavy rain. In addition, chili peppers can promote the production of two enzymes in the body, which can effectively prevent excessive fat accumulation.