Rau chua lè, Rau ma la rau mung, Rau ma tim, Sunflower plant – Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC., belongs to the Asteraceae family, is a wild, annual herb. When the plant is young, the leaves grow from the base without lobes, shaped like a harp, looking like Gotu kola leaves (Gotu kola). In mature plants, the upper leaves are pinnately lobed, the terminal lobes are oval-triangular, with ridges. The upper leaves are accompanied by flower clusters, without stalks, with ears at the base; these leaves look like Rau ma leaves. The flower clusters are head-shaped, pink or purple when old, and open wide. The fruit has short spines.

Sour vegetables grow all over our country, in lawns, bushes, wastelands, on rice fields and roadsides.

The plant is edible and is used in a greater or lesser proportion in dishes depending on the region. The leaves and young shoots can be boiled, used in soup, or eaten raw like lettuce with stock. Since the beginning of this century, some people have suggested using it as a summer vegetable like lettuce, making vinegar oil; it has a unique taste that is difficult to analyze, but people can distinguish a slightly sour taste, mixed with a little bitterness, and in general, it is a delicious vegetable. In sandy areas, while other plants cannot grow, Rau chua le still grows and develops well, even in the summer, so some people suggest taking advantage of this vegetable.

To use as medicine, people use the whole plant, wash it, and dry it. They also use the fresh plant. Rau chua le has a bitter taste, neutral properties, and has the effect of cooling, anti-toxic, reducing swelling, and diuretic. It is often prescribed to treat: 1. Flu, fever, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, sore throat, boils in the mouth and tongue; 2. Mild pneumonia; 3. Enteritis, dysentery; Urinary tract - genital diseases; 4. Mastitis, orchitis; 5. Wounds, boils, eczema, trauma; skin rashes, swelling. Dosage 15-30g.

Some of the following treatment methods can be used:

– Measles, rash, back ache: use branches and leaves to boil water for bathing, washing, and shampooing.

– Urinary tract infection – genital, painful urination, frequent urination: 30g of sour vegetable and Plantago, decoct and drink.

– Enteritis, dysentery: use 60-100g of the whole plant to boil and drink, or combine with 30-50g of Sai yap plant to boil and drink.

– Draining pus from boils: Crush the leaves and apply.