Tong Ho Is a Great Addition to Your Next Vegan Meal — Its Top 5 Benefits, Explained

Tong ho is a unique leafy plant many Asian restaurants include in plant-based meal options. Proper preparation of tong ho is key to achieving the best taste and the numerous health benefits its consumption brings to those lucky enough to enjoy it.

Men seeking to enjoy the many benefits of plant-based eating will be happy to know that tong ho has perhaps just as many healthful benefits as it does nicknames and aliases.

If you haven't yet tasted edible chrysanthemums, a popular alias for tong ho, you may be taken back by the bitterness of the plant. However, in the perfect stew or stir fry with the right vegan sauce, tong ho can be much better appreciated.

With that said, here are the many reasons men can enjoy the benefits of consuming tong ho.

Research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information found the essential oil of the tong ho plant to produce "notable anti-inflammatory activity" and, according to Healthier Steps, tong ho has a high concentration of Vitamins A and C, contains antioxidants and may prove useful in the treatment of symptoms from arthritis and asthma. For men, tong ho may be a boon to their health needs.

Per Healthier Steps, tong ho is also said to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Per the Indonesia-based Andra Farms, tong ho aids in boosting a weakened sex drive, supports sperm quality, and is similarly beneficial to women seeking to become pregnant, who are already pregnant, are experiencing menopausal symptoms, and who are seeking to boost their reproductive health in general.

As The Woks of Life explains, tong ho provides a distinct flavor to various plant-based dishes that men may cook up for their loved ones. Commenters attest to the unique flavor profile of this plant:

• "I love this vege esp. in hot pot!!!"
• "My favorite Vegetable. Love the strong taste. I will just blanch it put some soy sauce and garlic shallot oil. Simple and nice."

As one diner commented, the vegan chrysanthemum green salad — crafted with tong ho, creamy soy sesame and crispy shallots — from Bonnie’s Cantonese restaurant in Brooklyn is delicious.

Per May & Charles flower farm, tong ho is hardy in the winter. Yet, according to the University of Florida, the broadleaf variety tolerates hot weather — which makes sense in a state where tong ho is flourishing. The narrow leaf variety, more suitable for cooler climates, can be harvested weekly beginning in November.

For men who adopt plant-based eating for the benefits of the vegan lifestyle, finding the right veggies to incorporate in meals can be intimidating. As Yoshiko Takeuchi of @cookingwithyoshiko explains, including tong ho in vegan dishes that skew more towards comfort food can help add important nutrients.

The New South Wales government describes the taste of tong ho as bitter, so a vegan rice dish with tasty veggies is a great option for men.

So whether you're following your favorite celebrity's vegan diet or you're stumped about how to add a heaping portion of healthy to your meal, tong ho is a great way to go. (You can also check out Green Matters' collection of vegan recipes!)