🌿 The “Immortality” Vegetable: Houttuynia Cordata (Diếp Cá)

What It Is

• Scientific name: Houttuynia cordata.

• Local name in Vietnam: Diếp cá.

• Appearance: Heart‑shaped leaves, often found growing wild in moist gardens and near water.

• Nickname: Sometimes called the “immortality herb” in traditional medicine because of its wide range of health benefits.

💨 Health Benefits (Especially for the Lungs)

• Respiratory support: Traditionally used to ease coughs, sore throats, and lung inflammation.

• Antibacterial & antiviral properties: Contains compounds that help fight infections.

• Immune booster: Rich in antioxidants that strengthen the body’s defenses.

• Digestive aid: Helps with constipation and supports gut health.

• Detoxifying effects: Believed to cleanse the body and reduce fever in folk medicine.

🤢 Why It’s Rarely Used in Vietnam

• Strong smell: The leaves have a distinctive fishy odor, which many people find unpleasant.

• Taste profile: Slightly sour and pungent, making it an acquired taste.

• Cultural perception: Though valued in traditional medicine, it’s often avoided in daily meals because of its aroma.

🍽️ How It’s Consumed

• Fresh leaves: Sometimes eaten raw with dipping sauces in northern Vietnam.

• Herbal remedies: Used in teas, decoctions, or crushed into poultices.

• Modern uses: Increasingly studied for potential pharmaceutical applications.

✨ Extra Insights (20% More Content Added)

• Global recognition: In China and Japan, houttuynia is more widely accepted and used in soups, teas, and even skincare products.

• Nutritional value: Contains flavonoids, polysaccharides, and essential oils that contribute to its medicinal effects.

• Sustainability: Because it grows wild and easily spreads, it’s considered a low‑maintenance “free” vegetable.

• Potential research: Modern studies are exploring its role in supporting lung health, especially in polluted environments.

• Practical tip: Mixing diếp cá with other herbs or citrus can reduce its odor and make it more palatable.

✅ In short: Houttuynia cordata (diếp cá) is a wild “immortality vegetable” with powerful lung and immune benefits, but its fishy smell keeps many Vietnamese from eating it regularly.