Efficacy and Effects of Fresh and Dried Houttuynia cordata as Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Its Consumption Methods and Contraindications

When it comes to Houttuynia cordata, it really makes people both love and hate it. What is lovable is that it is rich in nutrients and has numerous effects, but what is hateful is that many people cannot accept its taste. In fact, Houttuynia cordata is a medicinal and edible wild vegetable that can be used both as food and as medicine. For medicinal use, it is mostly used in aged form, while for food use, it is mostly used fresh. So, what are the effects and consumption methods of fresh Houttuynia cordata and dried Houttuynia cordata? What contraindications are there?

I. Effects and Actions of Houttuynia cordata

1. Clearing heat, reducing inflammation, and fighting viruses

Houttuynia cordata is a natural and safe antibiotic that can clear heat, reduce inflammation, and fight viruses. As a plant antibiotic, what is most remarkable about Houttuynia cordata is that its medicinal nature can reach the upper, middle, and lower jiao of the human body. From pharyngitis and pneumonia above, to urethritis, vaginitis, and nephritis below, and externally to skin inflammation and herpes, it can treat them all. For infections caused by various bacteria and viruses, such as wind-heat common cold, influenza, urinary system infections, reproductive system infections, and so on, Houttuynia cordata is their nemesis.

2. Anti-inflammatory

Houttuynia cordata decoction has a significant anti-inflammatory effect on formaldehyde-induced foot swelling in rats.

3. Antibacterial

A yellow oily substance extracted from Houttuynia cordata has an inhibitory effect on various microorganisms, with obvious inhibitory effects on Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcus, and others.

Enhancing immunity: It enhances the phagocytic capacity of WBC and increases serum properdin. In the treatment of chronic bronchitis, synthetic houttuynin can significantly increase patients' WBC phagocytic capacity against Staphylococcus albus and significantly raise serum properdin.

4. Radiation protection

Houttuynia cordata is the only traditional Chinese medicinal herb that can tenaciously regenerate at the site of an atomic bomb explosion. Houttuynia cordata has radiation-resistant effects and can enhance the body's immune function, with no toxic or side effects. It is suitable not only for flight personnel, but also for people who are often close to radiation sources, such as X-ray machine and computer operators, as well as people who often watch television. It is a must-eat radiation-protection food for computer users.

5. Enhancing immunity

It enhances the phagocytic capacity of WBC and increases serum properdin. In the treatment of chronic bronchitis, synthetic houttuynin can significantly increase patients' WBC phagocytic capacity against Staphylococcus albus and significantly raise serum properdin.

6. Diuresis

Perfusing toad kidneys or frog webs with Houttuynia cordata extract can dilate capillaries, increase blood flow and urine secretion, thereby having a diuretic effect.

7. Anti-tumor

The inhibitory effect of neo-houttuynin on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma may be related to increasing the cAMP level in cancer cells. Experiments show that intraperitoneal injection of different doses of neo-houttuynin into mice at different times significantly reduced the total number of cancer cells, cancer cell division index, and ascites volume, while the cAMP level within cancer cells increased.

8. Sedation, anti-convulsion, and helping quit smoking

People who want to quit smoking will feel less like smoking if they drink strong Houttuynia cordata tea every day. Houttuynia cordata is a food particularly suitable for smokers, as it can clear lung heat and relieve tobacco toxins. Prepare some sun-dried Houttuynia cordata and take a little each day to brew in water. It can not only suppress the desire to smoke, but also reduce the harm smoking does to you, and prevent chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis, and even lung cancer.

II. Consumption Methods of Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata is also relatively easy for people to accept when used to make soup or herbal tea. Dishes such as Houttuynia cordata and pig lung soup, Houttuynia cordata and pork bone soup, and Houttuynia cordata and mung bean soup are ordinary home-style soups. However, if it is used for cooking dishes, its unique style depends on individual preferences. It is roughly the same kind of thing as durian and cheese: those who love it love it extremely, and those who hate it cover their noses.

The common consumption methods of Houttuynia cordata are introduced as follows:

Cold dressing: Wash fresh Houttuynia cordata clean, blanch it briefly in boiling water, then add appropriate amounts of salt, soy sauce, rice vinegar, pepper powder, pepper oil, minced ginger, scallion juice, sesame oil, and other seasonings before eating.  

Stewed with meat: Wash Houttuynia cordata clean and stew it with meat. The meat soup made this way is fresh, fragrant, and tasty. 

Making porridge: Boil Houttuynia cordata in water, take the juice, and use it to cook porridge; or when the porridge is nearly done, add an appropriate amount of Houttuynia cordata, cook briefly, and eat after seasoning. 

Making noodles: After the noodles are cooked, add an appropriate amount of Houttuynia cordata, cook briefly, and eat together with the noodles.  

Stewed with pork tripe: Stuff an appropriate amount of Houttuynia cordata into pig tripe and stew until the pig tripe is thoroughly cooked, then eat. This method is mostly used for dietary therapy for peptic ulcers and lung-heat cough.  

Brewing tea: Put Houttuynia cordata in a pot and stir-fry until it can be pinched into powder, then let it cool for later use. Take an appropriate amount each time and brew it in boiling water. The finished tea is brownish-yellow and glossy, the tea liquor is yellow and transparent, and the grassy fragrance and roasted fragrance blend into one, mellow and palatable, with a long aftertaste.

Examples of Houttuynia cordata consumption methods: 

(1) Fresh Houttuynia cordata and pig lung soup

Ingredients: 1 pig lung, 200 grams of Houttuynia cordata, 1 monk fruit, and an appropriate amount of salt.

Method:

1. Soak Houttuynia cordata in cold water for 20 minutes, remove impurities, and wash clean. Also wash the monk fruit and set aside.

2. Point the trachea opening of the pig lung toward a faucet and fill it with water. When the pig lung expands to its largest size, forcefully squeeze out the blood water inside. Repeat this many times until the color of the pig lung turns pink or white, then soak for another 30 minutes. Finally, cut into pieces, blanch in water, and scoop out.

3. Heat the wok without adding oil, pour in the pig lung, and stir-fry. Continue until all the water it has absorbed is dry, then remove.

4. Bring clean water to a boil in a clay pot, add all the ingredients, bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to medium-low heat and simmer for one and a half hours. Finally, add salt to season and it is ready to drink.

This soup strengthens the stomach and promotes diuresis, lowers lipids and blood pressure, and is a soup suitable for elderly people to drink.

(2) Fresh Houttuynia cordata scrambled with eggs

Ingredients: 150 grams of fresh Houttuynia cordata, 4 eggs, and appropriate amounts of refined salt, monosodium glutamate, chopped scallions, and vegetable oil.

Method:

1. Remove the impurities from Houttuynia cordata, soak it in cold water for 20 minutes, then wash and cut into sections. Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them evenly for later use.

2. Add oil to the wok and heat it, add chopped scallions and stir-fry until fragrant, then add Houttuynia cordata and stir-fry a few times. Next, pour in the eggs and stir-fry together until they form pieces, then add an appropriate amount of water and salt, and stir-fry until the eggs are cooked and flavorful. Add monosodium glutamate according to personal taste, stir evenly, and it is done.

This dish is a combination of Houttuynia cordata and eggs, moistening the lungs and benefiting the throat, clearing heat and detoxifying, and nourishing yin and moistening dryness. People with conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary abscess, carbuncle swelling, consumptive bleeding, red eyes, and heat dysentery can include this dish on the list of auxiliary dietary therapy dishes. It is also very suitable as a breakfast side dish.

(3) Houttuynia cordata and snow pear water

First boil fresh Houttuynia cordata or dried Houttuynia cordata in an appropriate amount of water to make a decoction, discard the residue, add snow pear pieces and white sugar or rock sugar, and cook until the pear is soft and tender. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and relieving cough and reducing phlegm.

Soup-making tips: Dried Houttuynia cordata can be purchased at a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. If using fresh Houttuynia cordata, a 200-gram portion can be used.

III. Side Effects and Contraindications of Houttuynia cordata

In fact, the toxicity of Houttuynia cordata is very low, and it has no effect on most people. The general population can consume it. It is especially suitable for people who often have constipation, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, and patients with influenza can also consume it. However, it is not suitable for everyone. For example, people with a cold-deficiency constitution, or those with boils and sores that belong to yin-cold and have no redness, swelling, heat, or pain, had best not consume Houttuynia cordata. This is because Houttuynia cordata is inherently cold in nature, and people with a cold-deficiency body will only add cold to cold by eating it. People like this should eat things that are warm or hot in nature.

If adverse reactions occur, they mainly manifest as symptoms such as flushed face, nausea, difficulty breathing, and precordial discomfort. Once discovered, stop the medication immediately, and after 20-30mim all symptoms will disappear on their own.

So in general, Houttuynia cordata can be eaten with peace of mind.

Side effects and contraindications of drinking Houttuynia cordata soaked in water:

1. Causing bad breath 

After oral intake of Houttuynia cordata, it will cause a fishy odor in the mouth, which is also the reason why it is named Houttuynia cordata. Many people cannot accept this taste and think it is very unpleasant. 

2. Allergic reactions 

Some people experience some allergic reactions when injecting Houttuynia cordata injection or drinking Houttuynia cordata soaked in water, mainly manifesting as drug dermatitis, peripheral neuritis, allergic purpura, and so on. In addition, some people experience local muscle pain. If the allergic problem is relatively serious and scientific treatment is not received in time, it may very likely lead to anaphylactic shock, and even death. Therefore, once you feel unwell after taking Houttuynia cordata, you must seek medical attention promptly.

3. Irritation to the vaginal mucosa

Certain substances contained in Houttuynia cordata can cause a certain degree of irritation to the vaginal mucosa after entering the body. 

4. Not suitable for eating in large amounts 

Houttuynia cordata is relatively cold in nature and should not be eaten in large amounts. People with a cold-deficiency constitution and those with yin-type external sores without redness, swelling, heat, or pain should not consume it. 

5. Kidney damage 

Houttuynia cordata contains aristolactam, which can cause irreversible kidney damage and lead to upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma, so it should not be consumed long term.