What are the benefits, effects and contraindications of the "health-preserving treasure" Houttuynia cordata (fish mint, also known as zhe'ergen)? Can it treat hemorrhoids, rhinitis and gynecological diseases?

Houttuynia cordata is a Chinese herbal medicine, also called zhe'ergen (fish mint). Houttuynia cordata is generally harvested in summer and mostly grows by the edges of fields and along both sides of roads. It has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, and back in my hometown it is generally used to make tea. So what are the benefits, effects and contraindications of Houttuynia cordata? Can it treat hemorrhoids, rhinitis and gynecological diseases? The details are summarized below:

I. The benefits of Houttuynia cordata

1. Clears and drains lung heat, stops cough and resolves phlegm

Houttuynia cordata has health benefits such as clearing and draining lung heat, resolving phlegm and stopping cough. It not only effectively prevents disease from occurring, but also has a good effect on stopping cough. The main methods are: Houttuynia cordata soup; Houttuynia cordata stewed with snow pear; a decoction of Houttuynia cordata, licorice and plantain herb;

2. Anti-inflammatory and sterilizing

Houttuynia cordata can be boiled in water for bathing, which can remove harmful bacteria, disinfect the skin and prevent rashes.

II. The effects of Houttuynia cordata

1. Antibacterial and antiviral effects

A yellow oily substance can be extracted from Houttuynia cordata. This substance has an inhibitory effect on various microorganisms, has a clear inhibitory effect on hemolytic streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcus, and also acts on Escherichia coli and typhoid bacillus, so its antibacterial effect is extremely strong.

Houttuynia cordata also has an inhibitory effect on many viruses, such as an inhibitory effect on Asian influenza A, and can delay the growth of the orphan virus ECHO11; the extracted juice and leaves can also inhibit herpes simplex virus infection.

2. Diuretic effect

Injection of Houttuynia cordata extract can dilate capillaries, speed up blood flow and promote urine secretion, thereby having a diuretic effect.

3. Anti-tumor effect

Houttuynia cordata can, to a certain extent, kill cancer cells or inhibit their division and growth, and has a certain anti-tumor effect.

III. The contraindications of Houttuynia cordata

1. People with an allergic constitution must not use Houttuynia cordata

A person's constitution is formed from childhood. If the face is prone to allergies, it means the body's skin is prone to allergies; people who develop eczema when the weather is damp and cold must not eat it, and people whose skin turns red when exposed to the sun must not eat it.

2. People with a cold constitution must not eat Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata is cold in nature. People who themselves have problems such as uterine cold or a cold constitution must not eat it, as this will directly add cold to cold; especially for women, in serious cases it may lead to infertility.

3. People with poor liver function must not eat Houttuynia cordata

Every medicine is partly toxic. Although Houttuynia cordata itself is a Chinese herbal medicine and can also be eaten as food, it still has a certain toxicity in it, and the liver governs detoxification. If liver function is poor, it is best not to use Houttuynia cordata for a long time.

IV. Houttuynia cordata can treat hemorrhoids

Houttuynia cordata can treat hemorrhoids. The specific method is as follows:

Take an appropriate amount of Houttuynia cordata, wash it clean, put it in a pot, add water and boil it, then pour the water and Houttuynia cordata into a basin and sit directly over it to steam. When the water is almost cool, wash the affected hemorrhoid area with the water. The effect is very good, and the effect is even better with long-term use.

V. Houttuynia cordata can treat rhinitis

Houttuynia cordata can treat rhinitis. The specific method is as follows:

For treating rhinitis with Houttuynia cordata, using internal and external methods together gives a better effect. Thirty grams of Houttuynia cordata and thirty grams of Isatis root (banlangen), twenty grams of Angelica dahurica (baizhi), add honeysuckle, Platycodon grandiflorus (jiegeng), Xanthium sibiricum (cang'erzi), Ligusticum chuanxiong (chuanxiong), Forsythia suspensa (lianqiao) and Magnolia biondii (xinyi), decoct them together in water twice, take the medicine and liquid together, once in the morning and once in the evening.

VI. Can Houttuynia cordata treat gynecological diseases

Houttuynia cordata has a certain curative effect in treating gynecological diseases. The specific method is as follows:

Take an appropriate amount of Houttuynia cordata, decoct it in water and use it to fumigate and wash the vulva, once in the morning and once in the evening. Note: Houttuynia cordata only plays a supporting role in treating gynecological diseases. If you have gynecological diseases, you should still go to a hospital for proper medical treatment, and must never rely on Houttuynia cordata alone to solve them.