Read in detail about Houttuynia Cordata Benefits and Facts to learn how this herb can positively affect your life.
Fish mint offers a distinct taste and smell that makes it stand out from other herbs with a pleasant smell, but if you read about Houttuynia Cordata Benefits, it will surely become your favorite.
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What is Houttuynia Cordata
Commonly known as fish mint, fish wort, rainbow plant, lizard tail, and chameleon plant, this wild herb is a herbaceous perennial plant from Southeast Asia, Korea, China, and Japan. This ground cover belongs to the Saururaceae family.
This medicinal herb produces small, white flowers that appear during early summer over heart-shaped leaves with prominent veins. The plant can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide.
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Houttuynia cordata Facts
- The leaves of the plant are used in Asian cuisines as a vegetable or fresh herb. Roots of this wonder herb are also edible. The taste and flavor of Houttuynia cordata are similar to fish; hence, the common name derives.
- This culinary herb can revive from delicate underground rhizomes that break easily and form new plants when touched.
- Houttuynia cordata is considered an invasive plant.
- In Europe and the USA, fish mint is grown for ornamental purposes.
- You can find the roots of this herb across East Asia.
- The name fish wort or fish mint derives from the raw fish-like smell of the plant.
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Benefits of Houttuynia cordata
1. Treat Ear Pain
In Japan, Dokudani cha, or Chameleon plant tea, is a popular beverage. It is believed that this tea can treat earaches.
2. Nutrient Rich
Fish mint is a great source of vitamins, amino acids, and trace minerals such as zinc, potassium, copper, manganese, and iron.
3. Source of Antioxidants
It also has flavonoids such as rutin and quercetin, alpha-pinene, and D-limonene.
4. Antiviral, Anti Tumor Properties
Houttuynia cordata is popular for curing the SARS virus. This herb acts defensively against this infection. Research on fish mint suggests it can treat herpes influenza, type 1 and 2 simplex.
5. Help Reduce Weight
The herbal properties of this herb can help in the weight loss journey of obese people.
6. Great for Lungs
This herb is used in traditional Chinese medication to treat lung diseases. The antibacterial qualities of this herb protect the lungs from infections. It maintains the mucus, which controls the gastrointestinal functioning.
7. Heal Skin
The leaves of this herb are used in making poultices, which cure many skin problems.
8. Maintain Blood Sugar
The leaves of Houttuynia cordata can reduce blood sugar when chewed raw as they boost insulin production and manage the release of glucose. It also promotes a level of good cholesterol in the body.
9. Treat Allergies
This herb intensifies the immune system by relaxing cytokines.
10. Rich in Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Properties
Fish wort can shield against bacterial problems due to its antibacterial qualities. Some research proves that it can reduce the quantity of Salmonella.
This herb has been used traditionally for treating anti-inflammatory issues. According to several tests on fish mint have proved it can cure many medical conditions.
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Culinary Uses of Fish Mint
- In Vietnam, people use the leaves in garnishing and as a leafy vegetable.
- The leaves are added to seafood and grilled meats.
- Fish mint leaves are also used in salads, soups, and spring rolls for garnishing.
- The edible roots of fish mint can be eaten raw, cooked, or as a seasoning; it looks like a ball of spaghetti. In Chinese cuisine, it is known as zhe’ergen.
- In Nepal, the leaves and roots are added to pickles.
- People in the southwestern regions of China consume the roots of fish mint as a root vegetable.