Houttuynia cordata (Fish Mint) Pig Lung Soup: Traditional Medicinal Recipe

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

“Houttuynia cordata stewed with pig lung” is a traditional medicinal dish widely popular in the Lingnan region, with a history traceable to folk dietary therapy formulas recorded in the Qing dynasty *Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica* (Bencao Gangmu Shiyi). Houttuynia cordata, also known as *Jicai* or *Zhe’ergen*, earns its name from the faint fishy odor released when its leaves are crushed between fingers. It is primarily harvested in the Yangtze River basin and southern provinces, serving both as a wild vegetable and a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb. Pig lung, taken from fresh pig lungs, is neutral in nature and sweet in taste; following the principle of “like treats like,” Chinese medicine holds that it can nourish the lung and moisten dryness. This soup features Houttuynia cordata and pig lung as the main ingredients, complemented by ginger slices and honey dates, simmered over low heat. The resulting broth is milky white, with a distinctive aroma — an initial slight acrid and astringent sensation on the palate, followed by a mellow, sweet aftertaste.

In households in Guangdong, Guangxi, and other regions, during the transition from spring to summer or the autumn dryness-heat, elders often prepare this soup to prevent and alleviate respiratory discomfort caused by climate changes. Modern nutritional analysis shows that Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) contains active components such as volatile oils, flavonoids, and quercetin, while pig lung is rich in protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Their combination not only leverages the advantages of dietary therapy but also aligns with the TCM principle of “medicine and food sharing the same origin.”

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) and pig lung soup primarily clears heat and moistens the lungs, transforms phlegm and stops coughing. It is especially indicated for coughing with yellow, thick, sticky phlegm, and sore throat caused by lung heat or wind-heat common cold. The decanoyl acetaldehyde (houttuynin) in Houttuynia cordata has broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, inhibiting pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and influenza virus. The collagen and elastin in pig lung help repair the respiratory tract mucosa and enhance lung resistance. Together, these ingredients reduce inflammatory reactions and promote phlegm expulsion.

In addition, this medicinal food also has the effects of detoxifying, expelling pus, promoting diuresis, and treating stranguria. For early-stage lung abscess (pulmonary abscess) with coughing of foul, purulent sputum, moderate consumption can assist in clearing heat and expelling pus. It also provides some relief for frequent and urgent urination caused by urinary tract infection. For urban residents who smoke long-term or live in hazy environments, regular consumption of this soup can help clear accumulated heat and smoke toxins in the lungs, reducing chronic lung damage.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s theory of nature, flavor, and meridian entry, *Houttuynia cordata* (fish mint) has a pungent and bitter flavor, a slightly cold nature, and specifically enters the Lung Meridian (LU). *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) records that it can “disperse heat toxin and carbuncle swelling,” while *Diannan Bencao* (Southern Yunnan Materia Medica) states it “treats lung abscess with cough and sputum containing pus and blood.” The pungent flavor enables dispersion, allowing lung heat to be resolved from the exterior; the bitter and cold nature clears and drains lung fire, reduces abscesses, and expels pus. Pig lung has a sweet flavor and neutral nature, enters the Lung Meridian, and supplements the lung to stop cough and arrest bleeding. *Qianjin Yaofang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) records that “pig lung governs cough due to lung deficiency.” When combined, *Houttuynia cordata* primarily clears while pig lung primarily supplements—clearing and supplementing working together, attacking pathogenic factors without harming the righteous qi.

In modern clinical Chinese medicine, this medicinal food is often used as an adjunctive treatment for cough patterns of external wind-heat and phlegm-heat obstructing the lung. If the patient presents with accompanying signs such as fever, dry mouth, and a red tongue with a yellow, greasy coating, the addition of Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) can directly reduce lung heat; meanwhile, the nourishing effect of pig lung helps prevent excessive consumption of qi by bitter-cold medicinals and foods. Furthermore, Zingiber officinale (ginger) warms the middle jiao and stops vomiting, while Ziziphus jujuba (honey jujube) harmonizes the medicinal properties, together protecting the stomach and strengthening the spleen. This ensures that the formula remains cold in nature without causing stagnation, making it suitable for most individuals with a damp-heat constitution.

Suitable Population

Typical suitable populations include: patients with lung-heat cough, presenting with harsh cough sounds, thick yellow phlegm, red and sore throat, possibly accompanied by fever and thirst; those with chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis in remission phase that fall under the lung-heat pattern; long-term smokers or individuals exposed to dust or air pollution who have obvious accumulated heat in the lungs, often with dry throat and expectoration of black phlegm; as well as those in the recovery stage of lung abscess (pulmonary abscess) or tuberculosis patients with dry cough and scant sputum.

Furthermore, individuals with a Dampness-Heat internal accumulation constitution who are prone to acne or skin miliaria may benefit from consuming this soup, as Houttuynia cordata (yu xing cao) helps clear Heat and drain Dampness to alleviate symptoms. For children with recurrent tonsillitis or adenoid hypertrophy triggered by internal Heat, a small amount taken under the guidance of a physician (with reduced dosage and the removal of jujube/dates) may also provide relief. It should be noted that this soup is primarily indicated for Lower Burner Heat syndromes affecting the respiratory system, rather than for Cold cough or Deficiency cough.

Contraindicated populations

It should be used with caution in cases of spleen-stomach deficiency cold. Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf houttuynia) is cold in nature; if a person typically has cold hands and feet, loose stools, poor appetite, and a pale, enlarged tongue with tooth marks, consumption may aggravate diarrhea or indigestion. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also exercise caution, as Houttuynia cordata has a mild stimulating effect on uterine smooth muscle. Although the amount used in soups is small, to be safe, it is recommended to avoid use during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Patients with allergic constitution should undergo a test. A small number of individuals are allergic to the volatile oils in Houttuyniae Herba (heartleaf houttuynia), and after consumption may experience skin itching, rash, or even dyspnea. People currently taking anticoagulant medications (e.g., warfarin) should also avoid it, as the quercetin contained in Houttuyniae Herba may enhance the anticoagulant effect and increase the risk of bleeding. In addition, those presenting in the early stage of wind-cold common cold with aversion to cold, fever without sweating, and cough with clear, thin, white sputum should not use this decoction by mistake, as it will aggravate the cold pathogen and prolong the disease course.

Ingredient formula ratios

Main ingredients: 100 g fresh Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf houttuynia) or 30 g dried, 1 pig lung (approx. 300–500 g). Supplementary ingredients: 2–3 honey dates (approx. 30 g), 3 slices fresh Zingiber officinale (ginger, approx. 10 g). Seasonings: appropriate amount of salt, a small amount of yellow wine to remove fishy odor. If dried Houttuynia cordata is used, soak it in warm water for 20 minutes to soften beforehand.

When selecting pig lung, choose those with a light pink color, smooth surface, and no signs of bruising or hard lumps. Fresh Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) should have intact stems and leaves, thick roots, and a strong aroma. For honeyed jujubes (蜜枣), opt for varieties from Xuanhe or Cangzhou with high sweetness, as they help harmonize the cooling nature of the ingredients and enhance flavor. This recipe serves 2–3 people; it is recommended to consume no more than twice per week, with each serving being 200–300 ml.

Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the pig lung

Position the pig lung (Sus scrofa domesticus, used in TCM to tonify Lung Qi) under a running faucet, repeatedly flushing water in through the trachea so that blood and foam exit from the airway, until the lung tissue becomes white and tender. Then remove the trachea and any residual lymph nodes, and cut the lung lobes into 2–3 cm chunks. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add ginger slices (Zingiber officinale rhizome) and yellow rice wine (Huangjiu), then blanch the pig lung for 3 minutes. Remove and rinse off any foam with cold water.

Step 2: Prepare Houttuynia cordata (fish mint)

Fresh Houttuynia cordata (fish mint): remove old roots and withered leaves, rinse with clean water to wash off soil and sediment, then cut into 5 cm sections. For the dried product, pre-soak and then drain well. Note that the rhizome part of Houttuynia cordata has stronger medicinal properties and should not be discarded.

Step 3: Simmering

Place the prepared pig lung, houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata), honeyed jujubes, and fresh ginger into a clay pot or ceramic soup pot. Add enough clean water (approximately 2 liters) so that the water level is about 3 cm above the ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam that rises to the surface, then reduce to low heat and simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, until the pig lung is tender and the soup turns milky white. About 10 minutes before turning off the heat, season with salt to taste, stir well, and serve.

Step 4: Strain the decoction

Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the residue from the soup, retaining only the clear broth. Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf houttuynia) can be eaten along with the soup, but if you dislike the texture, you can discard the solids directly. After ladling into a bowl, drink it while hot; it will have a slightly stronger fishy odor when cold.

Tips for Consumption

1. Optimal drinking time: It is recommended to consume warm between 9–11 AM (Spleen Meridian SP time) or 3–5 PM (Bladder Meridian BL time), when yang qi is abundant and medicinal absorption is most effective. Avoid drinking too much in the evening to prevent frequent nocturia from disturbing sleep.

2. Seasoning Taboos: Avoid adding pungent and hot seasonings such as chili (Capsicum annuum), garlic (Allium sativum), and Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum), as these will counteract the heat-clearing effect of Houttuynia cordata (鱼腥草). A small amount of Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, tangerine peel, 5 g) may be added to regulate qi and transform phlegm, or half a Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii, monk fruit) to sweeten and moisten the throat.

3. Storage and Shelf Life: If the prepared soup cannot be consumed in one sitting, remove the *Houttuynia cordata* (fish mint) before refrigerating the broth. Do not store it together with the residue for more than 6 hours. When reheating for consumption, bring it to a full boil again, and limit reheating to only once. Prolonged storage may lead to bacterial growth and souring of the soup.

4. Adjustments for Special Populations: For children, reduce the dosage (pig lung halved) and add 3 dried figs (Ficus carica) to enhance sweetness; for diabetic patients, omit honey dates (Ziziphus jujuba) and add 10g of wax gourd peel (Benincasa hispida peel) to promote urination and reduce edema.