Houttuynia cordata is called a health-preserving treasure, but is it really toxic?

Houttuynia cordata is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, especially in summer when brewing Houttuynia cordata tea can achieve the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. Its root is commonly called zhe'ergen, and it is also excellent when used to make cold dressed dishes, so Houttuynia cordata is called a health-preserving treasure by everyone. But recently it has been circulating online that Houttuynia cordata is toxic. Is it really toxic? The analysis for everyone is as follows:

1. What is Houttuynia cordata?

1. Houttuynia cordata is the plant Houttuynia cordata in the family Saururaceae. It grows most luxuriantly in summer and can be found on both sides of roads. As soon as it is touched, it has a fishy smell, so its name comes from this. In summer, you can harvest the luxuriant branches and leaves and take them home, remove some impurities, wash them clean, dry them in the sun, and then use them to brew tea.

2. Houttuynia cordata brewed in water tastes rather pungent and is a cold-natured medicinal material. If people with excessive internal heat drink it, it can achieve the benefit of reducing internal heat; but it is not suitable for people with weak bodies to drink, as it will aggravate dampness.

3. The main production areas of Houttuynia cordata are distributed relatively widely in southern China, for example, it is distributed in Hunan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Guangxi and other places.

Through the above 3 points, I believe everyone has gained a preliminary understanding and awareness of Houttuynia cordata.

2. Is Houttuynia cordata really toxic?

According to experts' verification, Houttuynia cordata is not toxic. The online circulation saying that Houttuynia cordata is toxic is mainly because Houttuynia cordata contains a substance called aristololactam, which led many netizens to mistakenly think it was “aristolochic acid”, so it has been circulated online that Houttuynia cordata is a toxic plant. Below is an analysis for everyone of the main differences between aristolochic acid and aristololactam:

1. In 2017, the World Health Organization's international cancer research initially organized aristolochic acid to be included in the list of carcinogens, which means that plants containing aristolochic acid all contain certain carcinogenic components. Among the Chinese herbal medicines containing aristolochic acid are plants such as Aristolochia debilis, Aristolochia contorta, Aristolochia, Aristolochia mollissima, Aristolochia fangchi, and Aristolochia cinnabarina, so special attention is needed when using them as medicine.

2. Aristololactam can cause harm to the human kidneys, and long-term drinking can lead to kidney damage.

In summary, it can be understood that Houttuynia cordata contains a very small amount of aristololactam, so drinking a small amount in daily life is acceptable, but it cannot be drunk in large amounts, and it should not be drunk for several consecutive days, as it will cause kidney damage. Therefore, the online circulation saying that Houttuynia cordata is toxic is not true; it is merely a rumor.

3. What effects does eating Houttuynia cordata have on the human body?

Eating Houttuynia cordata mainly has the following 2 effects on the human body:

1. Houttuynia cordata contains decanoyl acetaldehyde, which can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the human body. The main source of the fishy smell is also the presence of decanoyl acetaldehyde. Drinking a little Houttuynia cordata tea in daily life can effectively inhibit the growth of pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, both of which are the main culprits causing fever, cough, and sore throat. Houttuynia cordata cannot be used as a medicinal material to treat diseases because the substances it contains are relatively complex, and some people will develop allergic symptoms to Houttuynia cordata.

2. Houttuynia cordata contains aristololactam, and aristololactam will damage kidney function, so when using dried Houttuynia cordata to brew tea, a content of 16 mg is enough. But if you eat too much once or twice, there will not be much of a problem. It is best to take it under a doctor's guidance, otherwise it will bring harm to the body.

Summary: The above is an explanation compiled for everyone on whether Houttuynia cordata is toxic, and I hope it can help everyone. This article is synthesized from professional knowledge answers.