Discover fish mint roots in herbal medicine and cuisine
Plant characteristics and uses in traditional Eastern medicine
Fish mint is a herb commonly used as an accompaniment in Vietnamese meals. It has a slightly sour taste and a cooling nature. Due to its distinctive smell, it can be difficult to eat for those not used to it, but those who are accustomed to it enjoy it very much. This plant also possesses remarkable medicinal properties.
Fish mint is also known as: rap ca, diep ca, cay giap ca, dap ca, or ngu tinh thao. Its scientific name is Houttuynia cordata, belonging to the Saururaceae family. Fish mint is cultivated or grows wild in many places. It is very easy to find and inexpensive.
Chemical composition of fish mint: The whole plant contains essential oils, mainly aldehydes. In addition, fish mint contains capric acid, lauryl aldehyde, benzamide, decanoic acid, lipids, and vitamin K… Fish mint leaves contain β-sitosterol and alkaloids.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, fish mint roots have a pungent, slightly bitter taste and a slightly cool nature, entering the lung, liver, and spleen meridians. They have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, draining dampness, promoting urination, invigorating blood and reducing swelling, and moving qi to resolve stasis. They are commonly used in treating respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, digestive diseases, gynecological disorders, boils, and dermatitis.
Herbalist Do Minh Tuan from the Hanoi Oriental Medicine Association shared that fish mint is not only an aromatic culinary herb in daily meals, but also an herb of "longevity" and a precious medicine in traditional medicine, especially in protecting and strengthening lung health.
According to Mr. Tuan, in traditional medicine, fish mint (also known as houttuynia) has a sour taste, slightly cold nature, and acts on the liver and lung meridians. With these properties, fish mint is known for the following benefits:
Relieving cough and resolving phlegm: Reduce coughing, thin mucus, and clear the airways.
Cooling body heat: Helps cool the body, which is especially beneficial during sweltering summer days.
Draining dampness and resolving edema: Acts as a diuretic, reduces edema, and eliminates toxins from the body.
Cases requiring caution
Cases where caution is advised include:
- People with low blood pressure: Fish mint can lower blood pressure. If you are taking antihypertensive medications or have low blood pressure, consult your doctor before using it to avoid unwanted side effects.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Fish mint can cause uterine contractions, so its consumption should be limited, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- People with a cold body constitution, frequent loose stools, cold stomach, or bloating should not consume raw fish mint or fish mint juice.
Making salad from fish mint roots
Just like fish mint leaves, fish mint roots can also be eaten raw alongside other dishes as fresh greens. In addition, fish mint roots can be prepared into a variety of different dishes.
Toss in salads: 100g fish mint roots, 1 small carrot, 1 cucumber, 1/2 onion, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Wash fish mint roots, carrots, cucumbers, and onions clean; cut fish mint roots into short sections, slice onions thinly, and julienne carrots and cucumbers.
In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and salt until completely dissolved. Then, place the fish mint roots, carrots, cucumber, and onion in a large bowl, drizzle with the vinegar mixture, and toss well.
Let stand for about 10 minutes so the ingredients absorb the seasonings, then transfer to a plate and enjoy; you can add a little sliced fresh chili if you can tolerate spicy food.
How to make fish mint root juice
Fish mint root juice: 50g fresh fish mint roots (washed, chopped). Honey, rock sugar, lemon.
Wash the fish mint roots thoroughly, put them into a blender, add filtered water, and blend until smooth.
Strain through a sieve or cheesecloth to extract the liquid.
Add honey or rock sugar and stir well; lemon can be added to reduce any fishy taste.