For the people of Jincheng, spring not only brings beautiful scenery, but also a nourishing feast for the taste buds. Common wild vegetables in spring include pagoda tree flowers, Chinese toon, elm fruit, white mugwort, common sowthistle, and shepherd's purse. These wild vegetables are not only delicious, but also have rich health benefits.
Wild vegetables and their health benefits
Pagoda tree flowers
Health benefits: Cooling in nature, rich in rutin and vitamins, can cool and detoxify the body, moisten the lungs and reduce dryness, and is suitable for people who are getting heaty easily.
Recommended dishes: Hand-pulled noodles with pagoda tree flowers, pagoda tree flowers cornbread.
Photo spot: Pagoda tree forest at Wangmangling in Lingchuan.
Chinese toon
Health benefits: Rich in vitamin E, calcium and protein, can enhance the immune system, anti-aging benefits.
Recommended dishes: Fried egg with Chinese toon, tofu with Chinese toon.
Photo spot: Ancient Chinese toon trees around Emperor Yan’s Mausoleum in Gaoping.
Elm fruit
Health benefits: Rich in dietary fiber and niacin, can nourish the spleen and stomach, and aid digestion.
Recommended dishes: Steamed elm fruit, steamed bun with elm fruit.
Photo spot: Elm forest surrounding the village.
White mugwort
Health benefits: Slightly bitter and sweet, rich in volatile oil and chlorogenic acid, can cool and detoxify the body, aid digestion and promote bile secretion.
Recommended dishes: Fried egg with white mugwort, hand-pulled noodles with white mugwort.
Photo spot: Yangcheng Manghe Ecological Scenic Area.
Common sowthistle
Health benefits: Contains choline and taraxasterol, can cool and detoxify the body, and reduce hepatic fire.
Recommended dishes: Common sowthistle dip, common sowthistle salad.
Photo spot: The Foot of Jue Mountain.
Shepherd's purse
Health benefits: Rich in vitamin C and calcium, can improve eyesight, good for the stomach, and lower blood pressure.
Recommended dishes: Sherperd's purse dumplings, tofu soup with sherpherd's purse.
Photo spot: Pastoral area of Situ, Jincheng.