White thatch, also known as ground tendon and thatch needle, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Poaceae and White Grass. Its rhizome is stout, long-rooted, white, with erect stalks and narrowly linear leaves, and the flowering and fruiting period is from April to June. This plant is very common in rural areas and is commonly found in the wilderness as well as roadsides. It is very adaptable and vigorous, drought tolerant, and will continue to grow as long as the rhizome is still underground. It is also very reproductive, and the seeds will spread to many places with the wind. White thatch is found in all areas, especially in some abandoned lands. Although there are some farmer friends who consider white thatch to be a weed, its multiple uses and value cannot be denied.
1. The unopened flower spikes of white grass are edible
The flower spikes of white grass are very tender and delicious when they are not open. When I came home as a child, I would always look for unopened flower spikes on the white thatch on the roadside, which were slightly sweet and delicious. In addition, the roots of white grass are also edible. Its rhizomes taste sweet when cooked and chew a bit like sugar cane, which is very interesting.
Expansion: The unopened flower spikes and rhizomes of white thatch are a small snack that is often eaten in rural areas. When these flower spikes are not open, they have a tender green appearance that makes you want to taste them. It tastes slightly sweet and delicious, and it is a refreshing taste in the hot summer. At the same time, the rhizomes of white thatch are very chewy and have a special sweet taste, like the feeling of chewing sugar cane as a child, which is evocative.
2. The roots of white grass can be boiled into soup and drunk
The rural climate is dry in winter and is prone to fire. At this time, you can use the fresh white grass root to cook soup, such as lean meat soup or pork lung soup. The rhizome of white grass has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, preventing fire, and can provide healthy benefits for farmers.
Expansion: The role of white grass root is not limited to eating, it can also be used to make soup. Especially in the dry winter, people often choose to pick fresh white grass roots in the wild and cook them into soup to drink. With its heat-clearing and detoxifying effect, the white grass root lean meat soup provides people with a delicious taste while maintaining good health. In addition, the pork lung soup with white grass root allows people to experience warmth and comfort in the cold winter.
3. The rhizomes of white grass can be made into tea or soaked in water for drinking
The rhizomes of white grass can also be used to make tea or soak in water for drinking. White grass root tea can not only quench thirst, but also have the effect of clearing heat and diuretic. One can cut the white grass root into thin slices or crumble, brew it with boiling water, wait for a while, and then drink it.
Expanding: Many farmers like to use white grass roots to make tea or soak water for drinking. White grass root tea is a good drink to quench thirst, and it can be drunk at room temperature or cold. In addition, white grass root also has the effect of clearing heat and diuretic, which can help detoxify the body. In order to make it more convenient to drink, people usually cut the white grass root into thin slices or break it, brew it with boiling water, and let the tea soup soak for a while before enjoying it.
4. The rhizome of white grass is a common Chinese medicinal material
The rhizomes of white grass are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and can be said to be one of the most common herbs. As early as the Qin and Han dynasties, white grass roots were recorded. "Shennong's Materia Medica" listed it as a middle grade, saying that it has the effect of tonifying and benefiting qi. In addition, the "Compendium of Materia Medica" also records that white grass root has the effect of stopping bleeding.
Expansion: Although white grass root is common in rural areas, its application value as a medicinal material cannot be ignored. White grass root is one of the most common folk herbs and is very versatile. As early as the Qin and Han dynasties, people have discovered the medicinal value of white grass root, and its role in tonifying and invigorating qi has been recorded in detail in the "Shennong's Materia Medica". In addition, Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" also mentions that white grass root has the effect of stopping bleeding. Modern scientific research has also found that white grass root is rich in calcium, which can stop bleeding by grinding white grass root into powder and sprinkling it on the wound.
White thatch, as one of the common plants, is extremely valuable despite being considered a noxious grass in some places. The rhizomes of white grass can be eaten, made into tea or soup, and have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and stopping bleeding. In addition, white grass root is also a common Chinese medicinal material and has a wide range of uses. Although it has a strong reproductive ability, it is very beneficial for farmers living in the countryside to understand and utilize the value of white grass. Whether edible or medicinal, white grass is a beneficial plant. I hope that everyone can pay more attention to and make good use of this plant to give full play to its maximum value.