Southeast Asia is home to a special herb used in both cooking and medicine. People in Thailand call it Plu Kaow, English speakers call it Fish Mint, and scientists call it Houttuynia cordata. This plant has been used in healing for hundreds of years. Now, modern scientists are studying it to understand why it works.
Cultural History
Different Asian cultures have used this plant for a long time:
China: Called "Yu Xing Cao," people use it for breathing problems and to clean out toxins.
Thailand: Known as "Plu Kaow," people eat it and use it as medicine, especially for breathing problems and swelling.
Vietnam: Called "Giấp Cá," people use it in northern cooking and as medicine.
Japan: Known as "Dokudami," it's valued as a healing plant and grows wild in wet areas.
It has deep roots in the traditional medicine systems and daily lives of many Asian cultures. In China, known as Yuxingcao, it has been used since the Tang Dynasty to clear heat and detoxify the body, especially in respiratory conditions, and was even included in official protocols during the 2003 SARS outbreak. In Japan, it's called Dokudami, revered as a “poison-blocking” herb used in teas, tonics, and skin remedies, particularly in rural areas. Korea’s Eoseongcho is traditionally used for inflammation and cleansing, often in baths and temple healing practices. In Thailand, Plu Kaow is a staple of folk medicine and northeastern cuisine, valued for treating respiratory and inflammatory ailments. Across these cultures, the herb is not only a healing agent but also a part of culinary, spiritual, and seasonal wellness traditions, reflecting a shared reverence for its powerful, earthy properties.
What the Plant Looks Like
Plu Kaow is a plant that:
- Grows low to the ground, spreading out and reaching 8-31 inches tall
- Has heart-shaped leaves that sometimes turn red on the edges in sunlight
- Grows small greenish-yellow flowers with four white parts that look like petals
- Smells like fish when you crush the leaves (that's why it's called "Fish Mint")
- Grows best in wet, shady places like near streams
Healthy Compounds Inside
Plu Kaow contains many natural chemicals that help make it healthy:
Flavonoids: Including quercetin and others that fight inflammation
Plant Oils: Special scented oils that give it unique properties
Healthy Acids: Various acids that support its health benefits
These natural compounds help the plant fight germs, reduce swelling, and protect cells.
Fresh vs. Fermented
People traditionally use fresh Plu Kaow, but fermenting it (letting helpful bacteria change it) is becoming more popular. Fermentation may:
- Increase some healthy compounds
- Make it easier for your body to absorb the good stuff
Scientists are still studying exactly how fermentation changes the plant.
Health Benefits
Fighting Viruses
Studies show Plu Kaow may help fight several viruses:
- Herpes virus: Hot water extracts may help block herpes infections
- Flu and dengue viruses: Plant compounds may help slow these viruses
Reducing Inflammation and Protecting Cells
Plu Kaow contains compounds that:
- Lower inflammation signals in the body
- Fight harmful free radicals that damage cells
Supporting Immune Health
Some compounds in Plu Kaow may help balance your immune system - boosting it when needed while preventing it from overreacting.
Helping Breathing and Digestion
The plant's ability to fight germs and reduce inflammation makes it helpful for:
- Respiratory infections and breathing problems
- Stomach and digestive issues
Ways to Use It
You can use Plu Kaow in several ways:
In Food: Add fresh leaves to salads, soups, and broths
As Tea: Brew dried leaves to make a healthy drink
As Supplements: Take capsules, liquid extracts, or other prepared forms
On Skin: Apply it to skin conditions as a paste or wash
Safety Information
While generally safe, keep these things in mind:
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Not enough research exists - check with your doctor first
Allergies: Some people might be allergic to it
Medicine Interactions: May interact with medications - talk to your doctor if you take other medicines
Sources
Pharmacological Effects of Houttuynia cordata: A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7127360
Biological Activities and Phytochemicals of Houttuynia cordata
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8440972
Antiviral Activities of Houttuynia cordata against Herpes Simplex Virus
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7114259
Quercetin and Quercitrin in Inhibiting Virus Replication
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7104935
Sodium Houttuyfonate's Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8636186
Ethnobotanical Profile of Houttuynia cordata in Asian Medicine
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874117310712
Traditional Use of Dokudami (Houttuynia cordata) in Japanese Medicine
https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/en/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=201002228987512095