Benefits of Fish Mint – Amazing Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects of Fish Mint.
The world is filled with a large number (about 2,50,000) of plant species. And among them, almost 80,000 species possess medicinal qualities. The uses of these medicinal plants are based on folk beliefs continuing for ages in Assam along with the entire country (India). Fish mint (Houttuynia Cordata) is one of these kinds of medicinal herbs. From early times, Fish mint has been used as medicine for the treatment of many types of disease.
What is Fish mint/Houttuynia Cordata?
Fish mint is a herbal plant full of medicinal properties and grown on the ground with wide leaves. This plant is also known as the Chameleon plant in English. The stems of this plant are climbing tender vines. The plant grows standing up to 20cm to 80cm. The color of its stem is medium to light green and its leaves are of dark to medium green color. The leaves are of heart shape 4-9cm long and 3-8cm wide. Fish mint plants have tiny flowers on them and the plant is mostly found in corners and wetlands of the garden area.
Amazing Health Benefits of Fish Mint
Scientific name of Fish mint is - Houttuynia Cordata.
Uses:
In traditional medicine, Fish mint has an important role to play. This plant is considered as a super medicine for dysentery. It is found in almost all over Assam and popularly used to eat or as medicine. It is also cultivated as a vegetable. These leaves have a really strong smell though it is used to treat many health issues. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that if you take garlic extract mixed with fish mint juice in a limited quantity it can help in curing abnormal appetite problems and stomach aches. Fish mint juice mixed with black pepper, Pipli churna and a pinch of salt can reduce respiratory problems. You can make many dishes using this herb; such as- salad, dips (Chatni), fritters, soup or mixed with other vegetables. Raw fish mint is more beneficial for your health than the cooked one. The herb is rich in Vitamin A, keratin and calcium.
Nutritional Value
In every 100gm of Fish Mint, the following nutrition are available-
- Vitamin A : 2826.6 microgram
- Calcium : 2010 milligram
- Protein : 2.1gm
- Fat : 0.2gm
- Minerals : 0.6gm
- Fiber : 11gm
- Carbohydrate : 6.3gm
- Iron : 6.5milligram
- Water : 89.7gm
- Energy (Calorie) : 35.4kilo
Other names of Fish mint – Chameleon plant, Fish leaf, Rainbow plant, heart leaf, fish wort, Chinese lizard tail etc.
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Scientific Classification of Fish Mint (Houttuynia Cordata)
- Kingdom : Plantae
- Clade : Tracheophytes
- Clade : Angiosperm
- Clade : Magnoliids
- Order : Piperales
- Family : Saururaceae
- Genus : Houttuynia
- Species : H. Cordata
Scientific Name: Houttuynia Cordata
Benefits of Fish Mint
- In acidity and dysentery Fish mint leaves are cooked and eaten to treat the problem.
- Fish mint can increase the production of red blood cells, prevent heart diseases and strengthen body muscles.
- Regular consumption of this herb can improve vision and nervous system.
- For stomach and other related problems, fish mint is consumed to get relief.
- Fish mint juice mixed with black pepper, Pipli churna and a pinch of salt can reduce respiratory problems.
- Fish mint can prevent diseases like – bronchitis, pneumonia fever etc.
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Other remarkable benefits of Fish mint/Houttuynia Cordata are mentioned below. Let’s know about them:-
- Anti viral – Fish mint is widely known as a natural medicine for SARS virus. This herb acts like a resistor to this particular virus. In different studies, it came to light that fish mint can fight against- Type1 & type2 simplex, herpes influenza and HIV.
- Anti bacterial – Besides being an antiviral herb, Fish mint can also prevent bacterial diseases or health issues. In studies, it is mentioned that the extraction of this herb can reduce Salmonella bacteria.
- Anti – inflammatory – Fish mint is one of ancient medicines for inflammation. There are many studies and researches showing the anti-inflammatory properties of this herb and they also mention that fish mint can help in many health conditions.
- Allergies – Fish mint can improve immunity systems by relaxing cytokines. This can naturally help in treatments for allergies.
- Diabetes – Consuming raw Fish mint can lower blood sugar levels. This herb can fight against Diabetes by increasing insulin production and controlling glucose release in the body. Moreover, it helps in increasing the levels of good cholesterol in the human body.
- Healing skin – Fish mint has been used for ages as a medicine for skin diseases. A poultice is made from fish mint leaves which have Anti-bacterial and anti-Inflammatory qualities. This can help in curing various skin related problems.
- Good for Lung health – In traditional Chinese medicine, fish mint is popularly used in the treatment of infections in lungs. Its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory qualities protect the lungs from infections. Of course, fish mint can control the axis of the intestinal tract by controlling the mucus.
- Obesity – The most mentionable benefits of fish mint among all is weight loss. The herbal properties of this plant can help in losing weight.
How to use Fish Mint
Fish mint can be used in various ways; such as-as juice, as a leafy veggie, as paste/poultice to apply, in salads and as medicines. There are other uses of this herb, mentioned below-
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- The tender leaves and flowers of Fish mint are eaten in raw form or you can also add them in making other delicious dishes, ex- soups, fritters, mixed with other vegetables etc. The leaves of this herb have an orange like aroma and unique taste which enhances the taste of salads if added. You can add fish mint leaves in spicy dips; it will make the taste better.
- The whole Fish mint plant is used as an herb and cultivated as a vegetable.
- In Japan and Korea, the dried leaves of fish mint are used to make herbal tea.
- In the South-west region of China (Guizhou, Sichuan, Yuhan etc) the roots of fish mint are eaten as vegetables.
- In northeastern regions of India (ex-Manipur, Tripura), fish mint leaves are used to make delicious fritters and herb salads.
Side effects of Fish mint/Houttuynia Cordata
There are no scientifically proven side effects of Fish mint in the human body. Though when using or consuming fish mint we should be careful because excess and wrong mannered intake of any natural product can do damage to the health. Therefore, it is suggested to use the herb wisely to take its advantage.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the general characteristics of Fish mint. Its history, the elements it contains, its different kinds of names across the world, the areas of its cultivation, the uses, benefits, and also the drawbacks. We hope this article gave you a general idea of medicinal spice.
FAQ
1) What is fish mint good for?
A- Fish mint is used in traditional Chinese medicines for digestive problems, fever, cough, insect bites, kidney problems, flu and more treatment.
2) What does fish mint taste like?
A- Although the fish mint leaf has a special fish flavor, the roots are more like really strong cilantro. They are a little harsh, and their taste is dominated by aromatic “soap” properties that many people dislike in cilantro.
3) Why is it called ‘fish mint’?
A- It is generally cultivated as a herb, and is used as a fresh herbal decoration. The leaf has an unusual taste often described as a ‘fish mint’, so it is not universally enjoyed like basil, mint or other more commonly used herbs.
4) Is Fish mint toxic to Dogs?
A- It is not known to be toxic to fish, humans, dogs, cats or any other organism.
5) Is Fish mint Healthy?
A- Fish mint contains polyphenols, which are high in antioxidants, and prevent many diseases. This can encourage the development of white blood cells to support the immune system. This herb also has antibacterial properties and it also increases bowel health.
Disclaimer: The information included at HelthyLeaf is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.