Does eating wild scallions cause internal heat (fire)?
May 20, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Wild chives (Allium species) are perennial herbaceous plants belonging to the Liliaceae family. They commonly grow in sunny locations such as hillsides, grasslands, or forest edges. Wild chives have a pungent, aromatic odor and are often used as a wild vegetable or seasoning. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and offer various health benefits, including enhancing immunity, promoting digestion, and possessing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Whether consuming wild chives causes excessive internal heat ("heatiness") depends on the quantity consumed and the individual's body constitution.
In general, whether consuming wild garlic (Allium spp.) causes excessive internal heat ("fire") depends on the amount ingested and the individual's physical constitution. Specific situations are as follows:
Wild garlic is commonly used in daily life as a seasoning and contains vitamins and minerals. It has functions such as enhancing immunity and clearing heat while detoxifying. For healthy individuals, moderate consumption of wild garlic generally does not cause excessive internal heat; rather, it can help boost immunity. However, wild garlic is considered a warming food. Excessive consumption may increase internal heat and toxins in the body, thus leading to symptoms of excessive internal heat. Additionally, individuals with specific constitutions may experience heat-related symptoms after consuming wild garlic—for example, those with a naturally heat-predisposed constitution may experience exacerbated internal heat upon consuming wild garlic, which is inherently warming, thereby inducing excessive internal heat.
When consuming wild garlic, attention should also be paid to contraindicated populations. For example, individuals allergic to wild garlic may experience allergic reactions such as skin redness, swelling, and itching after consumption. The volatile oils in wild garlic are irritating, and patients with gastrointestinal diseases may experience worsened symptoms due to intestinal irritation after consumption. Additionally, thorough washing of wild garlic before consumption is important to avoid risks such as bacteria and parasites.
In daily life, wild garlic is typically used as a seasoning ingredient and can be consumed together with other foods. It should not be eaten alone in large quantities as a staple food, as this may lead to adverse reactions.
