What are the benefits of boiling Prunella vulgaris and Houttuynia cordata together?

Generally, boiling Prunella vulgaris (summer枯草) and Houttuynia cordata (fishy草) together has effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action, dispersing nodules and reducing swelling, clearing liver fire, and promoting diuresis and relieving dysuria. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying: Prunella vulgaris is cold in nature and effective in clearing excessive internal heat. Houttuynia cordata is also cool in nature and can detoxify internal heat. When boiled together, they can effectively eliminate symptoms such as red, swollen, and painful eyes, bleeding gums, sore throat, and regulate the body's yin-yang balance caused by external heat pathogens or internal accumulation of heat.

2. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory: These herbs contain multiple natural antibacterial components that inhibit bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Drinking the boiled water can reduce inflammatory responses in the respiratory and digestive tracts and alleviate discomfort symptoms such as swelling and pain.

3. Dispersing Nodules and Reducing Swelling: Prunella vulgaris has the property of dispersing nodules and reducing swelling, which can improve symptoms such as scrofula and mastitis caused by excessive heat or inflammation. Combined with Houttuynia cordata, it can enhance the effect of resolving nodules and reducing swelling, promoting the subsidence of local inflammation.

4. Clearing Liver Fire: Prunella vulgaris enters the liver meridian and clears liver fire, improving symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, irritability, and anger caused by liver fire ascending. When boiled with Houttuynia cordata, it exerts a synergistic effect in clearing liver fire, helping restore the liver's normal function of free flow and discharge.

5. Promoting Diuresis and Relieving Dysuria: Houttuynia cordata has a diuretic effect, and Prunella vulgaris also promotes urination. Drinking the boiled water can promote urine production and excretion, accelerate urinary system circulation, and alleviate urinary problems such as short and dark urine and painful or difficult urination.

Both Prunella vulgaris and Houttuynia cordata are cold-natured herbs. People with spleen and stomach deficiency cold or weak physical constitution should not consume them casually. Pregnant women, elderly individuals, and children should consult a doctor before consumption. The quantity and frequency of consumption should be controlled. If discomfort such as abdominal pain or diarrhea occurs, stop using immediately and seek medical attention.