Question 1

What is Eleocharis dulcis used for in traditional medicine?

Accepted Answer

Eleocharis dulcis, the Chinese water chestnut, is used in South Asian ayurvedic tradition primarily for its cooling, diuretic, and digestive properties. The underground corm is the part used medicinally, and it appears in treatments related to urinary health and heat-related conditions. It is classified as a food-medicine, meaning it bridges everyday diet and therapeutic use.

Question 2

Is Eleocharis dulcis native to Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Eleocharis dulcis is not endemic to Sri Lanka — it has a pan-tropical distribution that spans South and Southeast Asia, East Africa, and northern Australia. However, it has been incorporated into Sri Lanka's ayurvedic medicinal plant catalogue and is found in the island's lowland wetlands and paddy field margins.

Question 3

What does the Eleocharis dulcis plant look like?

Accepted Answer

Eleocharis dulcis is a semi-aquatic sedge that grows upright, hollow green stems up to roughly one metre tall. The edible part is a small, rounded, dark-brown corm that forms underground. The corm's interior flesh is white, mildly sweet, and stays crisp even after cooking.

Question 4

What is the difference between Eleocharis dulcis and a water caltrop?

Accepted Answer

Eleocharis dulcis (Chinese water chestnut) is a sedge with an underground corm, while water caltrops such as Trapa natans are floating aquatic plants from an entirely different family. Both are sometimes called water chestnuts in different regional languages, which causes confusion, but they have distinct growth habits and different traditional uses.

Question 5

Can you eat Eleocharis dulcis raw?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the corm of Eleocharis dulcis can be eaten raw after peeling. It has a mildly sweet flavour and a notable crunch. It can also be boiled, steamed, or dried and ground into flour, and it retains its crisp texture through cooking better than most starchy vegetables.

Question 6

What nutrients does the water chestnut corm contain?

Accepted Answer

The corm is high in water content and provides carbohydrates, dietary fibre, potassium, and B vitamins including riboflavin. Researchers have also identified a compound called phloretin in water chestnut, which shows antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in laboratory studies. It is relatively low in protein and fat.

Question 7

Where can Eleocharis dulcis be found growing in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lanka, the species is found in the lowland wet zone, particularly in the margins of irrigated paddy fields, canals, and slow-moving freshwater systems. It prefers waterlogged, nutrient-rich soils and is present as both a naturally occurring and semi-cultivated plant in suitable habitats.