Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint or lizard tail, can be used as both a medicinal herb and a culinary ingredient. Due to its strong fishy smell, many people do not like it, which has led to the claim that consuming fish mint can cause cancer. So, is this claim true?
Image of Houttuynia cordata
Does Houttuynia cordata really cause cancer?
Before discussing Houttuynia cordata, we need to understand a few terms: Houttuynia cordata family, aristolochic acid, and aristolactam.
Houttuynia cordata family is a classification in the plant kingdom. Aristolochic acid is a chemical compound, and aristolactam is a metabolite of aristolochic acid.
When the human body ingests aristolochic acid, it metabolizes to produce aristolactam, which can cause DNA damage and subsequently lead to cancer.
Aristolactam is mainly divided into two types, I and II. Aristolactam-I can cause liver damage and is highly carcinogenic, while aristolactam-II is non-toxic.
Houttuynia cordata contains aristolactam-BII, AII, and FII, which belong to the II class of aristolactam. Therefore, it does not have carcinogenic properties and can be safely consumed.
To be cautious, although there is currently no direct evidence to refute the claim that "Houttuynia cordata may induce kidney disease and cause cancer," the conclusion is somewhat biased.
Image of Houttuynia cordata
Benefits and functions of Houttuynia cordata
1. Enhances immune system
It can enhance the phagocytic ability of white blood cells, increase serum lysozyme, and synthesize houttuynin, which strengthens the ability of white blood cells to engulf bacteria and improves the body's immune system. It has a good therapeutic effect on infectious diseases.
2. Antibacterial effect
Houttuynia cordata can extract a yellow oily substance that has inhibitory effects on various microorganisms, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella. It has a powerful antibacterial effect.
3. Diuretic effect
Injection of Houttuynia cordata extract can dilate capillaries, increase blood flow, promote urine secretion, and therefore has a diuretic effect.
4. Anti-tumor effect
Houttuynia cordata can kill cancer cells to a certain extent or inhibit their division and growth, showing certain anti-tumor effects.
Image of Houttuynia cordata
Who should not consume Houttuynia cordata?
In China, Houttuynia cordata has been used as a wild vegetable for over two thousand years. According to legend, during the Spring and Autumn Period, when King Goujian of Yue was determined to achieve his goals, he led his people to choose Houttuynia cordata to eat and overcome hunger.
The most common way to consume Houttuynia cordata is by making a cold salad with it. Fresh Houttuynia cordata with lush leaves, vibrant green color, and a strong fishy odor can also be used for soup and stir-frying. Dried Houttuynia cordata purchased from pharmacies can be used to make tea by steeping it in water.
However, because Houttuynia cordata has a cold property, it is not suitable for the following groups of people to consume it excessively:
① People with a cold constitution
② People with boils and ulcers (yin cold)
③ People without redness, swelling, heat, and pain
④ People allergic to Houttuynia cordata
Although Houttuynia cordata is a powerful medicinal herb, it is cold in nature. It is not suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach, those with external yin sores, and those without redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
In addition, Houttuynia cordata is toxic. Although the toxicity is very low, long-term consumption can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. The injection of Houttuynia cordata extract may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, and in severe cases, it can lead to anaphylactic shock and even death.
