Swiss chard is a beautiful leafy vegetable that stems from the spinach and beet family. The leaves are shiny and green with crunchy stems that come in the most vibrant colours, it's also called rainbow chard because of this.
Swiss chard is highly nutritious containing over 10 types of antioxidants and a large amount of essential minerals, as it’s especially good at moving them from the soil up into its leaves. Chard contains magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, copper, calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, protein, phosphorus, vitamin B1, folate, biotin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. It is also a good source of dietary fibre.
TICM categorises Swiss chard as cool in temperature entering the Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, and Spleen with a sweet flavour. It tonifies Blood and helps to clear heat and eliminate toxins. Because of its cooling nature it helps to treat conditions like inflammation, boils and skin lesions.
Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy this leafy green as it satisfies the taste of the Liver. A light saute and steam as opposed to raw is how its best consumed in TICM.
Comments