The Tanner Hill - Wellness

Known for its rich nutritious value, Jew's Ear boasts a calcium content 20 times that of meat, and 10 times the vitamin B than general vegetables. Its carotene, meanwhile, will transform into vitamin A once it is absorbed by the human body and can effectively moisturise the skin and hair.

Low in calories, Jew's Ear is extremely rich in dietary fibre including fibre, hemicellulose, and pectin, which are useful in improving bowel movements, increasing the sense of fullness after meal, and aiding excretion. On top of that, hemicellulose and pectin are known to help lower cholesterol. Jew's Ear is also a fantastic source of plant collagen, which can help detoxify the body by promoting gastric peristalsis and eliminating waste from the body.

Research has revealed that Jew's Ear can effectively strengthen the qi, nourish the kidney and stomach, enhance blood flow, prevent blood clots and thrombosis, lower blood fat and viscosity, and soften blood vessels to improve blood flow. Moreover, moderate amount of Jew's Ear can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by cleansing the blood vessels. As a great source of iron – seven times that of pork liver – Jew's Ear is also known to be beneficial to blood nourishment and therefore skin complexion and lustre.

You may want to include the two Jew's Ear recipes below in your diet, but it's important to consult your traditional Chinese practitioner beforehand as the physique varies among different people.

Soup of Dried Daylily, Jew's Ear and Chayote

Effects: Nourishes the qi, lungs and brain while rejuvenating the blood and terminating bleeding. Chayote is known for its nourishing nature that also helps eradicate the liver of heat, while dried daylily can rid the body of heat and the mind of irritation.

Ingredients: five maces of dried daylily, three maces of Jew's Ear, ½ catty of Chayote, two pieces of lean pork, two litres of water

Method:
1. Soak and soften the dried daylily.
2. Skin, deseed and slice the chayote.
3. Slice the lean pork.
4. Put all the ingredients into the boiling water and boil on low heat for 1.5 hours.
5. Season with salt before serving.

A Cold Dish of Jew's Ear

Effects: Lowers blood sugar and fat, cholesterol and blood pressure with effects of body slimming.

Ingredients: Five to six pieces of Jew's Ear, one onion, coriander, sesame oil, soy sauce

Method:
1. Soak and soften Jew's Ear. Cook the Jew's Ear and then let chill.
2. Slice onion.
3. Blend all ingredients together with sesame oil, soy sauce, chopped coriander and serve.

Points to note: This recipe is not suitable for people with weak intestine and stomach. Cold dishes are generally not ideal for patients of chronic gastritis and gastroenteritis. It is recommended to consult your family medical practitioner, Chinese medicine practitioner or dietitian before consumption.