Houttuynia cordata Thunb It is the whole grass of Saururaceae, also known as Houttuynia cordata. , lateral ear roots and pig nostrils. Distributed in the provinces south of the Yangtze River basin, it is not only a Chinese herbal medicine included in China Pharmacopoeia, but also a wild vegetable. The stems of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. are oblate and twisted, about 0.2 to 0.3 cm long. The leaves of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. are brownish yellow with several edges, and the roots have several fibrous roots, which are fragile and easily broken. The leaves are slightly curled and shriveled, and the upper part is relatively upright, basically smooth and hairless.

What does Houttuynia cordata look like?

In the early summer, I walked in the countryside of Jiangnan. In some slightly wet valleys or under the shade of trees, you may see a large white flower. Short, heart-shaped leaves, recent smell of strong fishy herbs, this is Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb Botanically called water shield, it is mainly distributed in the provinces south of the Yangtze River basin. As early as more than 2000 years ago, water shield was eaten as a wild vegetable in Jiangnan area. Since Wei and Jin Dynasties, water shield has been officially used as medicine. In the historical development, it has always played the role of both medicine and food.

Houttuynia cordata likes to grow in wet and cloudy soil environment, and generally looks like a vine. Its plant is 20-35 cm high, and its leaves are alternate and heart-shaped, which is a bit like buckwheat.

In addition, sometimes the leaf margin of Houttuynia cordata Thunb is slightly purple or brown, the stem nodes are obvious, and white flowers bloom in May and June. The whole plant has a fishy smell, and its aboveground parts are usually collected in the summer flowering season, dried or freshly used as medicine.

What is the use of houttuynia cordata?

Houttuynia cordata Thunb It is a herbal medicine included in China Pharmacopoeia, which belongs to traditional Chinese medicine for clearing away heat and toxic materials. Its medicinal properties are pungent and slightly cold, belonging to lung meridian.

Its main functions are: clearing away heat and toxic materials, eliminating carbuncle and discharging pus, inducing diuresis and treating stranguria; Clinically, it is mainly used to treat lung abscess, pus vomiting, phlegm-heat asthma and cough, and is good at clearing away lung heat, which is an important drug for treating lung abscess. It is also a commonly used medicine for exogenous carbuncle, and is also used to treat heat stranguria and dysentery.

Pharmacological studies have found that houttuynia cordata contains houttuynin. It has inhibitory effects on pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pneumococcus to varying degrees. This is a natural antibiotic, and its extract can also enhance the phagocytosis and anti-inflammatory effect of white blood cells.

Fresh houttuynia cordata Thunb. It is also commonly used in folk to treat diseases such as cold, cough and asthma, sore throat and so on. Houttuynia cordata should not be decocted for a long time when it is used as medicine. Because of its cold nature, deficiency-cold syndrome and negative external choice, it is not suitable to take it, nor is it suitable for long-term consumption as an auxiliary food.

The root of houttuynia cordata Thunb.

How to eat houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata Thunb, also called broken ear root in Sichuan, can be eaten by roots, stems and leaves. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. has the health-care functions of clearing away heat and toxic materials, inducing diuresis, detumescence and stranguria. It can be used as both medicine and food. More common in Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan area.

The classic meal of Houttuynia cordata Thunb is cold Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Wash houttuynia cordata and cut it into small pieces convenient for eating. Then, put salt, chicken essence, sesame oil and a little vinegar in the bowl, and then add soul Chili oil and mix well.