Herbal antibiotics, effective against all types of inflammation
Better known as the Chinese medicinal herb Houttuynia cordata, fish腥草 is a natural and safe antibiotic. It possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties, boosts immunity, and acts as a diuretic.
As a plant antibiotic, fish腥草's most remarkable quality is its ability to reach all three levels of the human body—the upper, middle, and lower jiao.From pharyngitis and pneumonia to urethritis, vaginitis, and nephritis, as well as external skin inflammations and herpes, it can treat them all. Sometimes, inflammation occurs internally without the person realizing it. If a blood test at the hospital shows elevated white blood cell counts, that indicates inflammation. At this point, even if the exact location of the inflammation is unclear, immediately using fish腥草 for treatment will guarantee quick results.
Houttuynia cordata is particularly potent against infections caused by various bacteria and viruses, including wind-heat colds, influenza, urinary tract infections, and reproductive system infections.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, inflammation manifests as severe internal damp-heat. Therefore, treatment need not wait for blood test indicators to change. Simply consuming Houttuynia cordata upon sensing internal damp-heat can help eliminate it.
Just how remarkable is fish腥草's anti-inflammatory and anti-infective power?
1. Fish腥草 Decoction for Jaundice-Type Hepatitis
Boil 180g fish腥草 with 30g sugar. Take one dose daily for 5–10 consecutive days to regulate jaundice-type hepatitis.
Various hepatitis types can cause jaundice. Jaundice indicates severe damp-heat in the body. Fish腥草 reduces inflammation and thoroughly eliminates this damp-heat. Without the breeding ground it needs, the hepatitis virus naturally loses its ability to cause harm.
2. Fish腥草 is especially beneficial for smokers, as it clears lung heat and neutralizes tobacco toxins.
Prepare some sun-dried fish腥草. Steep a small amount daily in water to reduce smoking's harm, preventing chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis, and even lung cancer.
Don't dismiss this as troublesome—this simple habit will yield immense health benefits in the future.
Fish腥草 also aids smoking cessation.Those seeking to quit can drink strong fish腥草 tea daily to curb cravings.
3. Fish腥草 water reduces fever
Fish腥草 regulates upper respiratory infections, lowering fever and suppressing coughs. Wind-heat colds and flu fall under this category, typically presenting with fever and sore throat—sometimes progressing to pneumonia or edema.Some individuals may experience persistent coughing for two to three weeks. At the onset of wind-heat colds, promptly drinking Houttuynia cordata decoction can reduce inflammation. Dosage should be adjusted for children. 4. Houttuynia cordata decoction effectively treats post-cold complications Not only the elderly but also young adults often suffer prolonged, persistent coughing after upper respiratory infections, making recovery difficult.This stems from residual damp-heat toxins in the body—persistent inflammation. Common Chinese patent medicines featuring fish腥草 include Houttuynia cordata injection, which clears heat, detoxifies, and drains dampness. It treats lung abscesses, phlegm-heat coughs, leukorrhea, urinary tract infections, and boils.Another example is Compound Houttuynia Cordata Tablets (containing Houttuynia cordata, Scutellaria baicalensis, Isatis root, and Forsythia suspensa), which clear heat and detoxify. It is used for sore throat and tonsillitis caused by wind-heat invasion.
Houttuynia Cordata Dietary Therapy Methods
Houttuynia Cordata Tea
The simplest way to consume Houttuynia Cordata is to decoct it in water and drink it as tea. This method is suitable for those who dislike the taste of fresh Houttuynia Cordata or when only dried Houttuynia Cordata is available.
Note: Do not boil fish腥草 for extended periods like other Chinese herbs. Prolonged boiling of dried fish腥草 causes its anti-inflammatory components to evaporate.
Take a handful of fish腥草 and place it in half a pot of cold water, just enough to cover the herbs. Bring to a boil over high heat, then wait two minutes before immediately turning off the heat. Strain the herbal infusion and drink it.Do not discard the used fish腥草. For subsequent use, add fresh water and repeat the boiling process. This method allows for up to three boilings, providing an adequate daily supply.
If boiling is impractical—such as during work hours—directly steep dried fish腥草 as tea. Use a larger quantity, pour boiling water over it, and steep longer to maintain efficacy.