Junsai (Watershield)
Brasenia schreberi | ジュンサイ
Botanical Description
A floating aquatic plant with oval, glossy green leaves and tender underwater buds coated in a natural mucilage. Grows in still, clean ponds and wetlands.
Parts Used
Young leaf buds (mucilaginous shoots)
Energetics
Taste: Mild, slippery, cooling
Temperature: Cooling
Affinity: Stomach, intestines, urinary tract, skin
Actions
Demulcent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antioxidant, mildly astringent
Traditional Uses
Served chilled in vinegared broths or clear soups as a summer dish. Used to cool the body, soothe digestion, and reduce inflammation.
Modern Applications
Polysaccharides in the mucilage support gut lining and hydration. Used for urinary tract comfort and skin clarity. Considered a cooling functional food.
Contraindications
Generally safe. May not suit very cold or weak digestive types.
Preparation Methods
Chilled in broth, added to soups, pickled, or served as a garnish in summer dishes.
Dose
Food: ¼–½ cup as part of a dish Brasenia schreberi | Water Shield
Edit Page
