Can I take Houttuynia cordata for a toothache?

Jun 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, you can take Houttuynia cordata (fishy-smelling herb) for toothache, but it should be used in moderation. However, due to its slightly cold nature, individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should avoid excessive consumption to prevent aggravating the condition and causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Moreover, Houttuynia cordata can only serve as an auxiliary treatment to alleviate toothache. If the toothache is severe or persists, prompt medical attention is advised.

Generally speaking, you can consume Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) for toothache, but it should be taken in moderation. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Consuming Houttuynia cordata appropriately when experiencing toothache can help alleviate symptoms. Houttuynia cordata is a plant used both medicinally and as food, containing volatile oils, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other components. It is slightly cold in nature, has a pungent taste, and acts on the lung meridian, offering effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing abscesses, discharging pus, and promoting diuresis. Toothache often results from excessive stomach fire rising upward, invasion of wind-fire, or deficiency-fire due to yin deficiency. The heat-clearing and detoxifying properties of Houttuynia cordata effectively eliminate internal heat pathogens and significantly improve symptoms such as redness and pain of the gums caused by accumulation of heat toxins. Moreover, Houttuynia cordata can inhibit the growth and proliferation of various bacteria in the mouth, reduce inflammation, and thereby alleviate toothache at its source. Additionally, through its diuretic effect, Houttuynia cordata helps eliminate toxins from the body, further promoting the resolution of oral inflammation.

However, due to its slightly cold nature, excessive consumption of Houttuynia cordata is not recommended for individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, to avoid overburdening these organs and potentially causing discomforts such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Furthermore, Houttuynia cordata only serves as an adjunct to relieve toothache. If the toothache is severe or persists without improvement, prompt medical attention should be sought to identify the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment, rather than relying solely on consuming Houttuynia cordata.

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