What are the benefits and contraindications of drinking water infused with dried Houttuynia cordata?

Generally, the benefits of drinking water infused with dried Houttuynia cordata include clearing heat and detoxifying the body, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, enhancing immunity, and improving digestion. Contraindications include caution for individuals with cold body constitution, prohibition for pregnant women, prohibition for those with allergies, avoiding consumption with spicy foods, and avoiding long-term or excessive consumption. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Benefits of Drinking Water Infused with Dried Houttuynia cordata

1. Clearing Heat and Detoxification: Dried Houttuynia cordata is cold in nature and effectively removes internal heat toxins. It can help alleviate symptoms such as sore throat and lung-heat cough caused by heat toxicity.

2. Promoting Diuresis and Reducing Edema: Drinking water infused with dried Houttuynia cordata helps promote the elimination of excess fluid from the body, thus relieving edema. It may also provide some auxiliary therapeutic benefits for edema caused by kidney disease.

3. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Dried Houttuynia cordata contains multiple antibacterial components that effectively inhibit bacterial growth and have good anti-inflammatory effects on infections caused by bacterial pathogens.

4. Enhancing Immunity: The nutrients in dried Houttuynia cordata help improve the body's immune system and enhance disease resistance, offering some preventive effects against illnesses such as the common cold.

5. Promoting Digestion: Drinking water infused with dried Houttuynia cordata can stimulate gastrointestinal motility, aiding digestion and improving symptoms such as bloating and constipation caused by indigestion.

II. Contraindications of Drinking Water Infused with Dried Houttuynia cordata

1. Use with Caution for Individuals with Cold Body Constitution: Dried Houttuynia cordata is cold in nature, and individuals with a cold body constitution may experience increased internal coldness after consumption, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

2. Prohibited for Pregnant Women: Dried Houttuynia cordata has certain medicinal properties, and its consumption by pregnant women may adversely affect the fetus; therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy.

3. Prohibited for Individuals with Allergies: Some individuals may be allergic to dried Houttuynia cordata, experiencing allergic reactions such as skin itching and swelling after consumption. In severe cases, symptoms such as difficulty breathing may occur; therefore, it should be avoided by those with allergies.

4. Should Not Be Consumed with Spicy Foods: Consuming dried Houttuynia cordata together with spicy foods may increase internal heat and lead to symptoms such as heatiness; therefore, it should not be consumed with spicy foods.

5. Not Suitable for Long-Term or Excessive Consumption: Although drinking water infused with dried Houttuynia cordata offers certain health benefits, long-term or excessive consumption may burden the body and affect health. Therefore, moderate consumption is recommended.

In addition, long-term and excessive consumption should be avoided to prevent adverse reactions. It is best to consult a professional physician or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner before consumption.