A Common Vine With Remarkable Healing Properties

Paederia foetida, commonly known in Vietnam as lá mơ lông, is a climbing vine that grows wild in rural areas. While it is often eaten as a simple side vegetable, traditional medicine regards it as an incredibly useful herb. In fact, some Eastern medicine practitioners recommend lá mơ lông as a powerful natural remedy for conditions such as pneumonia.

Below are some well-known applications of this plant:

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1. Remedy for Pneumonia Using Lá Mơ Lông

• Preparation:
  Each day, gather a handful of fresh lá mơ leaves, blend them with either the water from one young coconut (dừa xiêm) or a glass of plain water.

• Next step:
  Strain out the pulp, add a few spoonfuls of honey, and set aside the mixture.

• How to use:
  Drink at 9 PM and 9 AM daily. Continue for 2–3 days to notice improvement. If one serving is too much, refrigerate the remainder in the cooler compartment and finish later.

Result:
When taken regularly for one week, many people report significant improvement: lung congestion eases, the pale “whitened” lung appearance reduces, and persistent coughing fades away unexpectedly.

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2. Additional Health Benefits of Lá Mơ Lông

According to traditional medicine, lá mơ lông has a cool nature and provides multiple benefits:

• Supports liver health and detoxification

• Reduces internal heat and fever

• Strengthens digestion and relieves food stagnation

• Has antibacterial and anti-parasitic effects

• Treats rheumatism and joint pains

• Expels intestinal worms

One of the most common uses is for digestive disorders, especially dysentery. A traditional preparation is to finely chop the leaves, mix with eggs, wrap in banana leaves, then grill on a hot pan. Consumed 2–3 times daily, this dish helps relieve symptoms effectively.

3. Treating Persistent Cough in Children

Lá mơ lông is also known for easing cough in children. A herbal syrup can be prepared with:

• Lá mơ lông (150 g)

• Bách bộ (250 g)

• Rau má (250 g)

• Lemon root (rễ chanh, 250 g)

• Cỏ nhọ nồi (250 g)

• Cỏ mần trầu (250 g)

• Trần bì (100 g)

• Cam thảo dây (150 g)

• Fresh ginger (50 g)

Boil all ingredients together to create a thick decoction, sweeten with sugar, and turn into syrup. When taken 2–3 times daily (dosage adjusted by age), children often recover from prolonged cough or asthma-like symptoms in as little as three days.

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4. Relief for Indigestion and Bloating

For stomach discomfort, indigestion, or abdominal rumbling:

• Take a handful of fresh lá mơ, wash thoroughly, and either eat them raw with rice or crush and drink the juice.

• Repeating this for 2–3 days usually brings relief.

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5. Reducing Seizures or Convulsions

A less common but documented use is for managing convulsions:

• Crush 15–60 g of fresh leaves.

• Add one bowl of warm water and a pinch of salt.

• Stir well, strain, and drink before dinner.

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Final Note

While lá mơ lông is widely used in traditional remedies, its application should be approached with care. Parents are advised to introduce these treatments gently, without fear or pressure, and ideally consult a healthcare professional—especially when dealing with children or serious conditions like pneumonia.