Fish lettuce

Fish mint is also known as fish mint – in Chinese it is called fish essence. The book “Manuscript Outline Muc” is written as fish chrysalis.

Scientific name: Houttuynia cordata Thunb belongs to the saururaceae family.

Fish mint is a type of grass that grows perennially, likes wet places, and has rhizomes that grow underground. Small roots grow from the nodes, the stem grows upright, up to 40cm high, with or little hair. Leaves grow alternately, heart-shaped, with slightly pointed or completely pointed tips. The flowers are small, pale yellow, have no perianth, grow in panicles, and have 4 white bracts; The entire appearance of the inflorescence and bracts looks like a single flower, the whole plant has a fishy smell. Flowers bloom in the summer from May to August.

Fish mint helps clear heat and detoxify.

Used as a medicine to treat many diseases – the parts used are the whole plant, fresh or dried. According to Oriental medicine, the taste of fish mint is a bit cold and spicy, entering the lungs. Having the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, hydrating and eliminating bloating, fish mint has the following effects:

Treat fever in children.
Treat irregular menstruation
Treat vaginitis
Treat mastitis.
Treats red, swollen pimples.
Treat hemorrhoids
Cure constipation
Treat bronchitis
Supports the treatment of kidney stones
Treats painful urination and frequent urination

According to modern medical research, fish mint contains decanoyl-acetaldehyde which has antibiotic properties. This vegetable has antibacterial effects such as inhibiting staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, diphtheria bacilli, e.coli, dysentery bacilli, and leptospira spirochetes. It is also effective against measles, herpes, influenza and even HIV viruses, by affecting the protein envelope of the virus. Fish mint also kills parasites and fungi.

Also according to Western medicine, fish mint helps diuretic due to the effect of quercitrin, strengthens capillary walls, and treats hemorrhoids due to the effect of dioxy-flavonone. In addition, it also has the effect of blood purification, detoxification, cooling, anti-inflammatory, and increasing the body’s immunity.

A study at Toyama University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Japan, showed the antioxidant effects of 12 herbs and compounds extracted from them. Fish mint is one of the four substances with the strongest antioxidant effects. The quercetin compound of fish mint eliminates the most stubborn free radicals.

According to a study by Koahsiung University of Medicine, Taiwan, fish mint has a significant inhibitory effect on the reproduction of herpes simplex virus. It is considered a medicinal herb to treat this disease. Koahsiung University also discovered that fish mint has the effect of preventing 5 types of leukemia cells.

Some other studies show that fish mint is effective against chronic sinusitis and polyps, and increases blood perfusion after surgery. Houttuynin bisulphate sodium extracted from it can treat mastitis.

However, when using it, you should also note: Fish mint is a cold (cold) substance, so if used too much, it will destroy the essence and yang energy, which can cause asthma. In addition, people with weak internal organs should abstain from using it.