Unexpected uses of Houttuynia cordata

VTC News•18/03/2024

According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu (University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital - Branch 3), Houttuynia cordata has diuretic, heat-clearing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic effects.

Houttuynia cordata is used to treat hemorrhoids, boils, measles in children, pneumonia or lung abscesses, conjunctivitis or eye infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, enteritis, urinary retention, and irregular menstruation. It is also used to treat malaria, convulsions in children, and toothaches.

Here are some medicinal remedies using Houttuynia cordata (fish mint).

Treating hemorrhoids

It is recommended to eat raw Houttuynia cordata daily. Additionally, you can boil the leaves in water and use the warm decoction for steaming, soaking, and washing, applying the remaining pulp to the anus.

Treating constipation

Dry 10g of Houttuynia cordata leaves, steep in boiling water for about 10 minutes, and drink as a substitute for tea daily for 10 days.

Besides being a food item for daily consumption, Houttuynia cordata also has medicinal properties.

Treating fever in children

Take 30g of fresh Houttuynia cordata leaves, wash them thoroughly, crush them, add half a bowl of cold water, boil, let cool, and drink it all at once. At the same time, apply the remaining pulp to your temples.

Treating irregular menstruation

40g of fresh Houttuynia cordata and 30g of fresh Artemisia vulgaris. Wash the Houttuynia cordata and Artemisia vulgaris thoroughly, crush them, and filter with cooled boiled water. Take one bowl of the decoction and drink it twice a day for 5 consecutive days, starting 10 days before your menstrual period.

Treating vaginitis

Take 20g of Houttuynia cordata, 10g of Gleditsia sinensis, and 1 medium-sized clove of garlic. Put all ingredients into a pot with 5 bowls of water and boil thoroughly. The patient should steam the affected area with the hot vapor, then use the cooled water to soak and wash the affected area. Do this once a day for 7 consecutive days, and the symptoms will subside.

Treatment of kidney stones

Boil 20g of Houttuynia cordata, 15g of Polygonum multiflorum, and 10g of Glycyrrhiza glabra in water and drink one dose daily for one month. Alternatively, roast 100g of Houttuynia cordata until golden brown, steep in 1 liter of boiling water for 20 minutes, and drink daily instead of water for two months.

Treating swelling and pain caused by blocked milk ducts.

Boil 25g of dried Houttuynia cordata and 10 red dates in 3 bowls of water until only 1 bowl remains. Divide into two doses and drink daily for 3-5 days.

Treating painful urination and frequent urination.

Wash 20g of Houttuynia cordata, 40g each of Centella asiatica, and Plantago major, then crush and strain to extract the clear juice. Drink 3 times a day for 7-10 days.

Treating conjunctivitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Wash 35g of Houttuynia cordata (fish mint), rinse with cooled boiled water, drain, then crush and squeeze the juice onto two clean gauze pads. Apply these pads to the swollen and painful eyes before going to bed. Repeat for 3-5 days.

Houttuynia cordata is very good for the skin.

Leaves skin soft and smooth.

Take 10 clean, crushed Houttuynia cordata leaves and use a soft cotton pad to gently wipe the juice onto your face and neck. Then, gently pat your face with your fingertips for about 1 minute to allow the juice to penetrate the skin, and wash your face after 15 minutes.

This mask can be left on overnight because when you apply the Houttuynia cordata juice to your skin, it absorbs very quickly, leaving your face looking like it has a thin, natural film. When you wake up the next day, you just need to gently wash your face to feel the noticeable softness and coolness.

Helps firm the skin and reduce oiliness.

Crush the Houttuynia cordata leaves with a little coarse salt to form a paste and apply it to your face. Salt helps to firm the skin, regulate sebum production, especially in the T-zone. In addition, it has strong antibacterial properties, helping the skin detoxify, prevent, and fight acne.

Treat acne and fade dark spots.

Aloe vera is very gentle and suitable for normal, oily, dry, and combination skin. When combined with Houttuynia cordata, it makes an ideal mask for oily and acne-prone skin.

Houttuynia cordata has strong antibacterial properties that will help pimples shrink and reduce redness, while the essence in aloe vera leaves will help tighten pores, significantly reduce acne scars, and noticeably cool the skin. Simply mix the juice of Houttuynia cordata with the inner pulp of aloe vera leaves to enjoy the soothing sensation of this mask.

When preparing aloe vera, it's important to peel off the green outer layer and use only the white flesh inside, as the green skin can cause itching and irritation to sensitive skin.

Skin whitening

Mix one teaspoon of pure honey with one teaspoon of Houttuynia cordata juice. Honey helps moisturize the skin, has antibacterial and anti-aging properties, reduces swollen acne, and makes the skin brighter and smoother. When used together with Houttuynia cordata, you will feel a refreshing and firming effect.

For best results with a Houttuynia cordata leaf mask, use it before bed, as your skin is at rest and can absorb nutrients most effectively at that time. You can use it 2-3 times a week for 15-20 minutes. When applying the mask, avoid sensitive areas such as the eyes, eyebrows, and corners of the mouth.

Nguyen Ngoan

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