Houttuynia cordata, also known as folded ear root and stinky grass, is named for its unique fishy smell. It belongs to the genus Bracken and is a perennial herbaceous plant. The stems of Houttuynia cordata are cylindrical, twisted, have distinct knots, are very fragile and can break with a slight fold. Its leaves are alternate, green on the top, purple on the back, and shaped like a heart. If you crush the leaves of Houttuynia cordata and put it in front of your nose to smell it, it will have a pungent fishy smell. Houttuynia cordata blooms in summer, with white flowers and spike-like inflorescences. The fruiting period is between June and October, and the shape of the capsule is spherical.
Apart from the name Houttuynia cordata, it is also known by other names in various places, such as Houttuynia cordata, pig nostrils, stinky grass, and many more. According to the Flora of China, the Chinese name of Houttuynia cordata is bracken. For the first time, there was a record of Houttuynia cordata in the "Famous Doctor's Directory", which recorded that Jiangzuo people were good at eating Houttuynia cordata raw. In Yunnan, Guichuan and other places, people like to pick the underground rhizomes of Houttuynia cordata to eat, so some people also call it the root of the fern and the root of the folded ear.
As a wild vegetable, Houttuynia cordata has been eaten by people since ancient times. In ancient books such as "Famous Doctors" and "Materia Medica", there are records of people eating Houttuynia cordata. Especially in the Jiangnan area, people like to eat Houttuynia cordata cold, which can be added with green onions, ginger, garlic and chili peppers, which is crispy and tender, and especially appetizing. In addition, the special smell of Houttuynia cordata is also used as a condiment.
In addition to being a wild vegetable, Houttuynia cordata also has extremely high medicinal properties. In the "Compendium of Materia Medica", Houttuynia cordata is included in the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, diuretic and drenching. In the hot summer weather, if someone passes out from heat stroke, someone who understands the value of Houttuynia cordata will soak them in water from the underground stems of Houttuynia cordata. It should be noted that fresh Houttuynia cordata has a fishy smell, but dried Houttuynia cordata does not have a fishy smell, but has a cinnamon-like aroma and tastes similar to black tea.
Houttuynia cordata is not only a high-quality wild vegetable, but also has extremely high nutritional value. Modern research has shown that Houttuynia cordata is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, polyphenolic compounds, and so on. Regular consumption of Houttuynia cordata helps to improve the body's immunity and increase the body's resistance.
Houttuynia cordata is also recognized as a medicinal and edible homologous plant. This means that it can be used not only as an ingredient but also as a medicine. Because of its heat-clearing and detoxifying effect, Houttuynia cordata is also widely used in the field of Chinese herbal medicine.
In the vast area of the countryside, wild plants can often be seen. Among them, Houttuynia cordata is controversial because of its unique smell. Some people are disgusted by its fishy smell, while others love it. Houttuynia cordata is a wild vegetable that, in addition to being edible, has medicinal properties. It is rich in nutrients that help boost the body's immunity. It is important for farmers to understand the value of Houttuynia cordata. Whether you like to eat Houttuynia cordata or not, it is a common and non-negligible plant in rural areas. Therefore, I hope that everyone can know and understand Houttuynia cordata better, discover its special features, and at the same time make reasonable use of its edible and medicinal value in daily life.