Brassica rapa pekinensis

Brassica rapa pekinensis is the Napa or Nappa cabbage, one of the two main types of "Chinese cabbage." Chinese cabbages are descended from turnips introduced into China from the Mediterranean thousands of years ago, though the nappa was developed sometime around or before the 15th Century.

The napa cabbage is a turnip that has been bred to have many large leaves, which it grows in a head-like cluster similar to the true cabbage or lettuce.

In Chinese Food Therapy, the napa is used extensively as a diuretic and to moisten dryness. Napa is also used to help resolve all manner of inflammation and heat syndromes, especially those caused by excessive dryness.

Napa should not be given to those suffering from nausea or syndromes involving qi deficiency.