What are the three major禁忌 (taboos) of eating daylily flowers?

Generally speaking, there is no such concept as the "three major taboos" of eating daylily flowers (golden needles). However, there are several dietary precautions: they should not be eaten raw, should not be consumed in excess, should be avoided by individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, and should not be eaten together with cold-natured or high-fiber foods. The detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Do not eat raw

Fresh daylily flowers contain colchicine, which can be oxidized into dipicolchicine in the body and cause toxicity. It is recommended to use dried daylily flowers or thoroughly boil fresh ones before consumption. After boiling, soak them in clean water for at least two hours to destroy the colchicine content and reduce toxicity.

2. Avoid excessive consumption

Even dried daylily flowers or fresh ones that have been cooked still contain small amounts of colchicine. Overconsumption may lead to food poisoning, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Not suitable for people with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold

In traditional Chinese medicine, daylily flowers are considered cool in nature and sweet in taste, making them unsuitable for individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach. Consumption may trigger or worsen gastrointestinal discomfort.

4. Should not be consumed with cold-natured foods

As a green vegetable classified as a cooling food, daylily flowers should not be eaten together with other cold-natured foods, as this may impair intestinal function and damage the spleen and stomach. Cold-natured foods include persimmons, bitter melon, watermelon, white radish, and mulberries.

5. Should not be consumed with high-fiber foods

Daylily flowers have a mild laxative effect. When consumed together with high-fiber foods, they may excessively stimulate intestinal motility and lead to diarrhea. High-fiber foods include corn, buckwheat, oats, red beans, and sweet potatoes.

When preparing dried daylily flowers, it is recommended to soak them multiple times in clean or warm water before eating to remove residual harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide. If any adverse reactions occur after consumption, individuals should seek prompt medical attention to avoid delaying treatment.