Cultivated for more than 8,000 years, buckwheat is an ancient grain that has never been genetically modified and is gaining increasing popularity among those who wish to eat more healthy foods.
Zhang Weijun, the fifth-generation successor of the esteemed Taiwanese traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) family business Huai Sheng Tang, shares an exclusive buckwheat wellness recipe designed to help lower high blood pressure, improve high cholesterol, and manage elevated blood sugar levels—all while safeguarding the health of blood vessels.
High Nutritional Value and Gluten Free
Buckwheat is a highly resilient grain, being both drought resistant and pest resistant, making it possible to cultivate even in arid regions, Mr. Zhang said. From both a modern nutritional perspective and insights from ancient Chinese medical literature, buckwheat is indeed highly beneficial for human health.Buckwheat has a relatively high protein content compared with other grains and contains various essential amino acids.
Buckwheat is also rich in fiber, which promotes digestive health and is beneficial for controlling blood sugar in individuals with diabetes.
Rutin-Rich and Anti-Inflammatory
Buckwheat also contains a valuable plant polyphenol known as rutin, sometimes referred to as vitamin P. Rutin offers various benefits, including being anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral. It can also promote cardiovascular health.Mr. Zhang explained that in ancient times, buckwheat flour was used to treat full-body skin infections. For patients with suppurating skin infections, finely ground buckwheat flour was evenly spread across the entire bed, and the patients would lie on the bed, allowing the buckwheat flour to adhere uniformly to their bodies. Rutin in buckwheat possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help to alleviate skin infections.
During the flu season in autumn and winter, rutin found in buckwheat can enhance resistance to viruses and allergens. Additionally, drinking buckwheat tea can promote gum health by reducing inflammation-induced gum bleeding.
The Versatile Uses of Buckwheat in TCM
According to Mr. Zhang, traditional Chinese medicine has other remarkable applications for buckwheat:The Differences Between Common Buckwheat and Tartary Buckwheat
Buckwheat can be categorized into common buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat. Common buckwheat is the type commonly found in the market, with triangular seeds. Tartary buckwheat, also known as bitter buckwheat, has elliptical seeds.Common buckwheat is widely used as a grain for consumption and is readily available in the market. It is often prepared as buckwheat porridge or by grinding it into powder and steeping it in hot water. To enhance the flavor, you can add nuts and roasted black beans to the porridge. Buckwheat powder can also be combined with lotus root powder and consumed by steeping it in water.
The Zhang Family’s Recipes
The Zhang family, who have been in the medical profession for generations, focus on dietary therapy and health preservation, believing that “life-saving ingredients are in the kitchen.” Mr. Zhang shares his ways of consuming buckwheat:1. Soy Milk With Buckwheat
Cook raw buckwheat and yellow soybeans together, then blend them to create soy milk with buckwheat. This mixture has a thick and viscous texture that enhances the creaminess of soy milk.2. Grain Sweet Potato Rice
Cook buckwheat with brown rice, adlay millet (Job’s tears), and sweet potato to prepare a bowl of grain sweet potato rice. Opt for common buckwheat for enhanced flavor.3. Soba Noodles
Soba noodles are a traditional Japanese dish, typically prepared by cooking, chilling, and serving them with a dipping sauce made from kelp soy sauce and a garnish of seaweed shreds. In addition, Mr. Zhang also introduced two unique ways to enjoy them:- Soba Noodles With Soy Milk: Start by pouring soy milk into a bowl and seasoning it with salt. Then, add the cooked soba noodles and mix them with the seasoned soy milk. Finally, drizzle some seaweed sauce and garnish with cucumber, scallions, and optionally, a soft-boiled egg to complete the dish.
- Soba Noodles With Pesto: Mr. Zhang also enjoys using soba noodles as a substitute for Italian pasta. The method involves cooking the noodles, chilling them, and then drizzling three tablespoons of pesto sauce over them. You can complement your dish with your choice of meat, eggs, and seafood. For added variety and flavor, consider adding okra, sweet peppers, and green cauliflower to the dish.
Tartary Buckwheat Tea: A Natural Way to Lower Blood Pressure
Mr. Zhang’s favorite beverage is buckwheat tea, made by simply brewing roasted Tartary buckwheat in hot water. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer something more flavorful than plain water and wish to avoid sugary drinks.Buckwheat tea purchased in stores is typically pre-roasted and ready to steep in hot water. If you buy raw Tartary buckwheat, you'll need to roast or toast it to reduce its bitterness. However, it’s worth noting that the bitter taste of buckwheat is associated with its medicinal compound, rutin. The greater the bitterness, the more effective it is in lowering blood pressure.
Mr. Zhang suggests that if you experience symptoms such as high blood pressure, neck tightness, or numbness in your fingers, you can use buckwheat tea as a first-aid remedy. After about 30 minutes, your blood pressure will gradually decrease, he said.
Potential Allergenic Reactions to Sprouted Buckwheat
In recent years, there has been a trend of consuming sprouted grains for their increased nutritional value and improved digestibility. However, Mr. Zhang cautions that consuming significant amounts of sprouted buckwheat can lead to skin allergies, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin.1. People With Digestive Problems
Buckwheat is rich in soluble fiber and resistant starch, a type of starch that isn’t easily digested. While it can result in a slower increase in blood sugar, individuals prone to bloating or with digestive issues should avoid excessive consumption, as it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.2. People Who’ve Had Gastrointestinal Surgery or Require a Low-Residue Diet
Patients who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, have a history of digestive system cancer, or suffer from digestive system ulcers, thus requiring a low-residue diet, should avoid consuming whole buckwheat grains. This is because they can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, exacerbating digestive tract ulcers. The solution is to blend buckwheat into buckwheat milk or use buckwheat flour for consumption.3. People With Esophageal Varices
Individuals with esophageal varices should also refrain from consuming whole buckwheat kernels because the hardness of buckwheat’s outer shell could potentially damage the blood vessels in the esophagus.4. People With Kidney Diseases
Individuals with kidney diseases should avoid overeating buckwheat, as it could increase the burden on the kidneys because of its higher phosphorus and potassium content.Guide to Buying Buckwheat
When choosing raw buckwheat, select grains that are uniform in size, plump, and exhibit a shiny appearance. A lack of shine may indicate prolonged storage. For cooked buckwheat and buckwheat flour, opt for those with no unpleasant oily or moldy odors. Once purchased, store them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. If you buy in large quantities, consider using the freezer for storage.Buckwheat Pillow for Restful Sleep
Besides their use as a food product, buckwheat hulls also have health and wellness benefits, making them well-suited for use as pillow fillings. Buckwheat hull pillows offer a balanced level of firmness and elasticity, excellent breathability, and a cooling effect, even during hot summer nights.Sleeping on a buckwheat hull pillow can help to relax the head and neck and thus improve sleep quality, Mr. Zhang said. After a restful night’s sleep on a buckwheat hull pillow, you may feel more refreshed and alert. You can also blend cassia seeds with the buckwheat hulls to create a coffee-like aroma.
