Crushed fish mint leaves can be used to reduce fever in young children. This herb can also effectively treat conjunctivitis.
 |
|
(Image: ND) |
Fish mint, also known as Houttuynia cordata, has a sour, spicy taste, a fishy smell, and a cooling nature; it is non-toxic and has effects such as heat-clearing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
– To treat fever in children: Use fresh fish mint leaves (30g), wash thoroughly, crush them, and add half a bowl of cool water to drink at once; simultaneously, apply the residue to the temples. If the child has convulsions, use fish mint leaves (8g) combined with lemongrass (6g) and Chinese pepper (2g), and follow the same preparation and usage method.
– To treat frequent urination and painful urination: Fresh fish mint (20g), gotu kola (20g), plantain (10g). Wash all ingredients, crush them, add water, strain, and drink all at once during the day.
– To treat conjunctivitis: Fresh fish mint, wash thoroughly, rinse with boiled water that has cooled, drain, then crush and press into two clean gauze pieces, applying them over the eyes when sleeping. The Central Eye Institute has improved this traditional method into an eye drop solution to treat over 60 cases of corneal ulcers caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, achieving over 83% effectiveness.
– To treat hemorrhoids: Use fresh fish mint (50g), wash thoroughly, crush, and apply to the affected area after cleaning it with saline water. Bandage it up. Do this once a day.
– To treat swollen and painful hemorrhoids: Use fish mint (50g), boil and steam the leaves, wait until the water is warm, clean the area, then take the residue and apply it to the painful spot. If hemorrhoids are bleeding, take fish mint (2 parts) and white mulberry (1 part), dry them, grind into powder, and sieve finely. Take 6 – 12g daily, divided into 2 – 3 doses.
– To treat otitis media: Dried fish mint (20g) and red dates (10 fruits). Chop everything finely, simmer with 400ml of water until only 100ml remains, and drink in two doses throughout the day.
– To treat stones: Fish mint (16g), wild celery (16g), plantain (12g), and licorice (12g). Boil and drink one dose per day. (This remedy helps expel stones).
– To treat intestinal inflammation and dysentery: Fish mint (20g), andrographis (16g), and phellodendron (8g). Chop everything finely, boil, and drink in two doses throughout the day.
Pharmacist Hữu Bảo
