Basic Characteristics of Houttuynia cordata Essential Oil and the Best Anti-inflammatory Ways to Consume It

Houttuynia cordata has a stem that is flat-cylindrical in shape, twisted, 20-35cm long, 0.2-0.3cm in diameter; the surface is brownish-yellow, with several longitudinal ridges and distinct nodes, and residual fibrous roots on the lower nodes; the texture is brittle and breaks easily. The leaves are alternate, rolled and wrinkled, heart-shaped when flattened, 3-5cm long, 3-4.5cm wide; the apex is acuminate, the margin entire; the upper surface is dark yellow-green to dark brown, the lower surface grayish-green or grayish-brown; the petiole is slender, and its base is fused with the stipules to form a sheath. The spike inflorescence is terminal and yellow-brown. When crushed, it has a fishy odor.

Houttuynia cordata essential oil is extracted from Houttuynia cordata, and its odor also has a fishy smell, with a yellow-brown color.

How to Eat Houttuynia cordata for the Best Anti-inflammatory Effect

Houttuynia cordata Water to Reduce Fever

Houttuynia cordata can help with upper respiratory tract infections, reduce fever, and relieve cough. Wind-heat colds and flu belong to upper respiratory tract infections, with typical symptoms of fever and sore throat, and can even cause pneumonia and edema. Some people also have a persistent cough for two or three weeks. At the early stage of a wind-heat cold, immediately drinking some Houttuynia cordata water to reduce inflammation can help bring down fever. This trick is especially practical for the elderly and children. This is because common fever-reducing drugs and antibiotics have relatively greater side effects for the elderly and children. But Houttuynia cordata is a food, mild in nature, and very safe.

Houttuynia cordata Tea

To consume Houttuynia cordata, the simplest method is to boil it in water and drink it as tea. People who are not used to fresh Houttuynia cordata, or those who have no fresh product and can only use the dried product, can also use it this way. Do not cook Houttuynia cordata for a long time as you would with other Chinese herbal medicines. If dried Houttuynia cordata is boiled for too long, the anti-inflammatory components will evaporate away. How do you boil it? Grab a handful of Houttuynia cordata, put it in half a pot of cold water, just enough to slightly submerge the Houttuynia cordata, bring to a boil over high heat, wait two minutes, then immediately turn off the heat, strain out the liquid, and drink it. Do not throw away the boiled Houttuynia cordata; the next time you drink it, you can add water and boil it once more in the same way, then drink it again. It can be boiled three times in total, which is exactly enough for one day's amount. You can also boil it three times in succession and mix the liquid from all three boils together for a better effect. If you really have no conditions to boil water, for example when you are at work, you can also directly use dried Houttuynia cordata to make tea. Use a little more Houttuynia cordata, pour in boiling water, and let it steep for a while; it can also have an effect.