BEST CRAB CLAW HERB BENEFITS AND RECIPES FOR HEALTHY MEALS

Crab Claw Herb, also known as Peperomia pellucida, is a local herb in Southeast Asia and some tropical countries. You can cook this herb in many recipes to enjoy its incredible health benefits. Let’s check the best crab claw herb benefits and recipes here. Learn easy but healthy cooking and tea recipes from this herb for your family. 

BEST CRAB CLAW HERB BENEFITS AND RECIPES FOR HEALTHY MEALS

I. What Is Crab Claw Herb?

Crab claw is also known as Peperomia pellucida, shining bush, and rau cang cua. It’s an ideal herb for health improvement and disease treatment. Here’s how to recognize this plant. 

1.1. Shining bush appearance

Peperomia pellucida has succulent stems that grow up to 40 cm in height. It has small, thin, and translucent leaves with a green to reddish color. The plant produces tiny flowers on spikes that grow from the axils of the leaves.

1.2. Crab claw herb flavor

Rau cang cua has a mild, slightly bitter flavor with a hint of spice and a subtle aroma similar to mustard or horseradish. Its taste is pretty similar to watercress or arugula. Its leaf is a common ingredient in traditional medicine and culinary practices in some parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

The herb is used in small quantities (usually the leaves and tender stem) to add flavor to soups, curries, stir-fries, and other savory dishes. It is also used raw in salads and as a garnish. The pods of rau cang cua seeds have a slightly nutty taste and are often eaten in some cultures.

II. What is Crab Claw Herb good for?

Peperomia Pellucida is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and various health rewards. Let’s see the most emerging health benefits of this herb here. 

2.1. Anti-inflammatory properties

This herb is renowned for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a natural remedy for many inflammation symptoms, such as sore throat, hot, swollen, flu, cold, headache, and cough. 

2.2. Lower Blood Cholesterol Level

Drinking claw crab herbal tea can reduce the bad cholesterol in our blood. Then, it helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and other ailments. It also regulates blood pressure. 

2.3. Aid Gout Treatment

The accumulation of acid uric is the cause of gout. Crab claw herb can reduce the uric acid level in our blood to aid in gout treatment. Many substances in this herb can suppress the level of acid uric to prevent this disease. 

2.4. Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

The combination of this herb and ibuprofen can help treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Moreover, its analgesic activity also relieves pain and makes you feel better.  

2.5. Anti-cancer potential

Pellucidin A and Peperomin E in crab claw herb can suppress the growth of cancer cells. Active compounds in this herb can prevent various pathogens, free radicals, and bacterial infections. Consuming this vegetable in daily meals can inhibit the negative impacts of DPPH ̣(2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radicals on our bodies.

2.6. Improve digestive health

People have used the decoction of this herb to treat stomach ulcers thanks to its gastro-protective properties. It helps protect and improve the digestive system from inflammation and relevant diseases.

2.7. Depression

The depressant activity of crab claw herb helps relieve and treat depression symptoms. Its extract has powerful properties for reducing anxiety and treating mental excitement disorders. 

2.8. Treat urinary system problems

This herb is also excellent in urinary and renal disease treatments by reducing the level of acid uric in the patient’s blood. It can replace allopurinol in regulating this substance level to prevent relevant ailments. 

2.9. Wound healing

Peperomia pellucida leaves have been traditionally used to promote wound healing due to their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, applying crushed Peperomia Pellucida around fracture areas can stimulate bone healing. 

III. Best Crab Claw Herb Recipes

You can cook or make tea from shining bush to enjoy the incredible health benefits of this herb. Check out the best cooking recipes with crab claw vegetables. Then, learn how to make an easy herbal tea with its leaves here. 

3.1. Cooking recipes

Here are two simple crab claw herb recipes that you might enjoy.

• Crab Claw Herb Salad

Follow these steps to make a fresh and healthy shining bush salad. 

1. Rinse and chop one cup of fresh shining bush.
2. Add chopped tomatoes, red onions, and cucumbers.
3. Dress with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve chilled.

• Rau cang cua stir-fried with beef

Here’s how to cook shining bush soup. 

1. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, salt, and pepper, then add the beef slices and let them marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Heat up a wok or a large skillet with oil over high heat. Stir-fry the beef until it's browned on all sides, then transfer it to a plate and set aside.
3. Using the same wok or skillet, add more oil if necessary and heat it up. Add the garlic and chili pepper and stir-fry until it smells good.
4. Add the shining bush and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until they are wilted.
5. Return the beef to the wok or skillet and stir-fry with the herbs for another minute until everything is evenly mixed.
6. Serve hot with rice. Enjoy!

3.2. Tea recipes

You can also make a healthy herbal tea with Peperomia pellucida. Firstly, you have to prepare the following ingredients to brew this tea. 

• 2-3 dried crab claw herb
• 2 cups of water
• 1-2 teaspoons of honey or sweetener

Then, follow these steps to make herbal tea with this plant. 

1. Rinse the dried crab claws thoroughly with cold water.
2. Add the crab claws and two cups of water to a pot and boil them over high heat.
3. Then, lower the heat and simmer the tea for about 20 minutes.
4. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a teapot or mug.
5. Add honey or your favorite sweetener to make the tea taste better.
6. Enjoy your Crab Claw Herbal Tea hot!

Shining bush is a popular herb in traditional Chinese medicine for its health benefits, such as relieving arthritis pain and reducing inflammation. 

IV. Is Shining Bush Safe To Consume?

These are crab claw herb benefits and recipes. Peperomia pellucida is a plant with a history of traditional use in various cultures for its medicinal properties. However, you should take potential side effects and precautions into consideration. 

Check out some possible side effects of consuming Peperomia pellucida below.

• Allergic reactions: Some people may experience an allergic reaction to the plant if they are sensitive to it, such as rash, itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
• Stomach upset: In large doses, crab claw herb may cause stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Precautions to take when consuming Peperomia pellucida may include:

• Consult with a healthcare professional: Always consult with a healthcare professional before consuming any new herb or supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or are taking medications.
• Use in moderation: You had better take a moderate dose of crab claw herb as high doses may cause adverse effects.
• Check for properly grown and harvested plants: Make sure the plant you consume is free from pesticides and other harmful substances.

Overall, while Peperomia pellucida has a history of traditional use for medicinal purposes, more scientific research is needed to determine its safety and efficacy.

V. Conclusion

Those are the best crab claw herb benefits and recipes you can try. Always take herbs with caution and the correct dose to avoid adverse effects. If you want to grow it for a green and organic source of the shining bush, buy crab claw herb seeds from The Rike. Avoid using harmful substances and pesticides to ensure safety.