These pansit-pansitan plants can be found growing all over my garden. They are found growing in places where there is partial shade and slightly damp areas, in between flower pots and even in some of my flower pots. Even though I like these short pretty plants, I used to treat them like weeds and pull them out without knowing that they are actually edible and used as herbs for their medicinal benefits.
It was after I heard from a friend that these plants are safe to consume that I googled to find out for myself.
It was after I heard from a friend that these plants are safe to consume that I googled to find out for myself.
Scientific name: Peperomia Pellucida Linn.
Some of the common names: Pansit-Pansitan, Ulasimang Bato, Clear Weed, Shiny Bush, Silver Bush, Pepper Elder, Man to Man, Cao Hu Jiao, Rangu-Rangu, Pokok Ketumpangan Air, Tumpang Angin, Daun Sirih Cina.
These are shallow rooted plants and can be easily pulled out from the ground.
The leaves are smooth, glossy and are heart-shaped. The stems are translucent green stalks.
Harvested pansit-pansitan to be used as salad.
The plants have slender erect spikes that are dotted with tiny seeds. The seeds drop off when matured and many baby plants will group up in clumps.
In some places, these plants are grown as food and also as medicinal herbs. The whole plant is edible, both cooked and eaten as salad. Juice or extracts from stems and leaves can be mixed with boiled water and taken as a drink.
It is claimed that these plants have many benefits e.g. anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, natural anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-arthritic, uric acid reduction, lowering cholesterol, cough, etc. Also as traditional treatment for abdominal pain, acne, boils, fatigue, gout, headaches, renal disorders, rheumatic join pain, stop bleeding and inflammation.
Caution: Even though there has been no known or reported side-effects, it is better to be cautious when taking natural herbs or over dosage.
"I, the Messiah, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.
But talk is cheap - anybody could say that.
So I'll prove it to you by healing this man.
"Then, turning to the paralyzed man, He commanded,
"Pick up your stretcher and go on home, for you are healed!"
(Mark 2:9-11, TLB)
The plants have slender erect spikes that are dotted with tiny seeds. The seeds drop off when matured and many baby plants will group up in clumps.
Caution: Even though there has been no known or reported side-effects, it is better to be cautious when taking natural herbs or over dosage.
But talk is cheap - anybody could say that.
So I'll prove it to you by healing this man.
"Then, turning to the paralyzed man, He commanded,
"Pick up your stretcher and go on home, for you are healed!"
(Mark 2:9-11, TLB)
I do not know these herbs, they think we do not grow, and are worthy of interest. Regards.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Giga. Have a beautiful day!
DeleteA lot in my garden. Easily grown by itself. Though people claim it has a lot of benefits & safe to consume, I don't dare to to try. Have you ever try, Nancy?
ReplyDeleteIrene, After my friend tried the drink by boiling the herbs with water, I only tried once. In fact I was very tempted to try making salad with it but felt strange about it. So until now, I have not tried eating them yet. But feel very wasted to pull and throw them away.
DeleteNancy, goodness me! I have these in the garden and I thought they were useless weeds. Have you tried consuming them?
ReplyDeletePhong Hong, not really but was thinking of making salad. Many have assured me that it is safe. Some suggest can be used for stir-fry or boil with water, mutt choe and goji berry, good for the eyes. So far, I have not tried.
DeleteI normally mix these Pansit-Pansitant, in Vietnam people call it "Rau Cang Cua" [meaning the Crab claw vegetable], with the Purslane, some Boston Salad, Tomatoes, a few slices of cucumber, also a few slices of apple, potatoes, and finally about two eggs. I mix all of them using either Balsamic or Apple Cider Vineger and Canadian Steak seasoning. You will come to love them.
DeleteThank you, Hung Chau for the info and how you use them for salad. The way you make the salad sounds interesting and tasty. I have yet to eat like as salad.
DeleteHello!, When in doubt, best left alone. I like their bright shiney leaves however, and think they look nice in planter.
ReplyDeleteYes, I used to say to myself, when in doubt, best left alone. So far have not tried eating these plants or herb yet.
DeleteI LOVE that they're heart shaped. So pretty to look at!
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty plants and they grown easily. I think I will just allow them to grow freely in my garden.
DeleteLindas e verdejantes fotografias.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Thank you, Francisco. Have a wonderful day!
DeleteFirst glance I thought it is grass!! Nice love-shaped leaves.
ReplyDeleteRose, all these while they have been grass to me. But now looking at them in a different way.
DeleteSo pretty and green. I love to garden and love reading about gardening in other parts of the world than where I am. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erika. I love gardening too and always admire those beautiful plants and flowers in other parts of the world.
DeleteDid you eat them or drink juice extract from their leaves? There are other plants that look quite like these so I don't dare to eat them because I am not sure whether they are pansit pansitan or not. I agree with you too on the dosage, we won't know how much is the right amount.
ReplyDeleteMun, some people may be over excited to try out these herbs and they may overdose themselves which may do more harm than good. Unless they come under proper guidance on the dosage.
DeleteI have seen Peperomias in pots at the plant nursery. I'm not sure I would dare eat them either.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of wild plants growing around here are edible but I've never tried them either.
Hugs,
JB
I too have many edible weeds in my garden but I am not really sure so I prefer to leave them alone.
DeleteI am not sure that I would be brave enough to eat something I was unsure of, but certainly a very interesting plant.
ReplyDeleteIt is also very beautiful plant. Until now I have not tried eating them but hope to get some confirmation first.
DeleteI would never eat something I'm not sure about. That's why there are doctors to help with these decisions. I do know that mother earth supplies much of what the body needs to stay healthy. It's the knowing what that's the trick.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day Nancy. ☺
Its the not knowing that is the problem. Meanwhile I will just allow this plant to grow in my garden.
DeleteSo, so beautiful!!! I love all the shades of green! Green is my favourite colour! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Green is very pleasing to the eye!
DeleteThey're a pretty shade of green.
ReplyDeleteThank you, William. Have a great day!
Deletenancy your garden is very rich. you have a wide variety of plants
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gosia. There are also other edible weeds in my garden too! Lol!
DeleteThey sure look happy.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes they do, Tom! Have a happy day!
DeleteThank you, De. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteWow, they have lots of benefits.
ReplyDeleteHello KB, looks like very useful plants and easily available.
DeleteI have loads of these growing in my garden. Heard can be make into salad but I have never tried before. My friend told me she used it for her son's fever
ReplyDeleteI too heard and even read that salad is good and very tempted to try but dare not. How does your friend used the plants for her son's fever? Used as a paste or boil water?
DeleteI was at a plant nursery and saw loads of these in between the plants. Thought it'd be quite funny if I suddenly 'weeded' the place for them!
ReplyDeleteStacy, it will be quite funny but I think they will benefit when you share the benefits of the plants with them. After that you won't have any chance to weed for them...lol!
DeleteI didn't know this plants are useful, I always pull them off from my flower pots.
ReplyDeleteAgnes, I used to do pull them off too. I only knew of their usefulness recently.
DeleteWow! Not only are these heart shaped plants pretty, they're useful! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Saleslady. Have a beautiful day!
DeleteIt is an interesting looking plant...I think some plants can be very, very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. The only think is to make really sure these plants are safe to eat! Have a wonderful day!
DeleteHi Nancy and friends! I know I'm 2 years late to respond but just to let you know, this is a very good herb and it is very good for the eyes. My mom and Aunty have been taking this infused in boiling water for half hour. They have their cataract cleared without surgery (supposed to be going for surgery type of cataract) by drinking the tea from this herb. It's safe for eating that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Asiram for affirming the safety and benefits of this herb. From now on I would collect them to boil in water and drink it for maintaining healthy eyes. Have a beautiful day!
Delete