Does Houttuynia cordata damage the kidneys?

Houttuynia cordata is a very common medicinal material in life. It has very strong functions, such as enhancing immunity, diuretic, antibacterial and other effects, and has very high health care functions. We know that some drugs may damage the kidneys when used, especially if the kidneys are already in poor condition, it is more likely to cause damage. So, does Houttuynia cordata harm the kidneys? Let’s take a closer look below.

Houttuynia cordata contains a small amount of aristolochic acid, which is a metabolite of aristolochic acid. It has been reported that aristolochic acid can irreversibly damage and inhibit renal epithelial cells, and even cause cancer. However, there has been no case of kidney damage caused by eating Houttuynia cordata. There is data to support the fact that Houttuynia cordata contains kidney-damaging ingredients. However, containing kidney-damaging ingredients is different from causing kidney disease after consumption. In the 2015 edition of the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", Houttuynia cordata is listed as a food and medicine, but the amount consumed should also be controlled.

The efficacy and function of Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata is cold in nature and pungent in taste, and smells like fish. It is a vegetable that can be used as both medicine and food. It has the effects of clearing away heat and detoxifying, removing dampness and promoting diuresis, helping digestion and strengthening the stomach, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, reducing swelling and treating sores. It has a good therapeutic effect on lung heat cough, spleen and stomach heat accumulation, hemorrhoids with bloody stools, sores and swelling, and is known as the "plant antibiotic" among the people.

Enhances immunity

Houttuynia cordata in Houttuynia cordata can enhance the phagocytic ability of WBC against Staphylococcus aureus and increase the level of properdin in human serum.

Diuretic

Houttuynia cordata extract has the effects of relieving pain and stopping bleeding, promoting tissue regeneration and dilating capillaries, increasing blood flow and urine secretion, thereby playing a diuretic role.

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory

A yellow oily component extracted from Houttuynia cordata has a good inhibitory effect on yeast, mold, hemolytic streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, pneumococcus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi. Clinical medicine has proven that Houttuynia cordata has significant therapeutic effects on diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, chronic cervicitis, urethritis, and vaginitis.

Clearing away heat and detoxifying

Houttuynia cordata is cold in nature and has a good effect of clearing away heat and detoxifying. It can be taken as a decoction to treat carbuncles caused by heat and toxins. It can be used together with Platycodon grandiflorum, wax gourd seeds, Trichosanthes peel, Curculigo root, etc. to treat lung abscesses, coughing up pus and blood, etc.

Other effects of Houttuynia cordata

Drinking Houttuynia cordata in water or eating it as a vegetable can treat tonsillitis and pharyngitis;

Drinking water boiled with dried Houttuynia cordata can relieve urinary tract infections and frequent and painful urination;

Applying crushed Houttuynia cordata to treat skin diseases; boiling the whole herb in water and soaking your feet in it can treat athlete's foot.