How to Eat Umeboshi Plums for Health Benefits

People who practice macrobiotic diets eat umeboshi plums, or Japanese pickled plums, as appetizers and in recipes to promote good health. The plums are believed to ease hangovers, detoxify the body, aid digestion and provide energy, according to informational site Mitoku. Umeboshi plums are made into a paste that is used in recipes and as medicine. It was used in China to cure nausea, fevers and coughs. The plums promote an alkaline body environment, which macrobiotic dieters believe helps prevent and cure chronic diseases.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat umeboshi plums with breakfast each day to gently break your fast and provide your body with energy. The plums are often eaten with a simple miso soup to avoid shocking the digestive organs early in the day, according to Alicia Silverstone, author of "The Kind Diet."

• 2

  Eat an umeboshi plum before every meal as an appetizer, especially if pregnant. The plums are claimed to help stimulate digestion and reduce acid environments in the body. This can help ease morning sickness and fatigue that come with pregnancy.

• 3

  Make a tea to combat digestive complaints or fatigue by soaking an umeboshi plum in hot water for five minutes. Eat the plum after you make your tea if desired.

• 4

  Mash umeboshi plums into a smooth paste and add to sauces, soups ad other dishes as a seasoning.

• 5

  Finely dice umeboshi plums and add them to sushi or rice balls. Umemboshi added to traditional foods helps you digest the foods and helps prevent constipation.

• 6

  Use umeboshi plum vinegar (the liquid your plums are picked in) in sauces and salad dressings or as a flavoring for many different types of dishes.