The medicinal herb Dokudami has many health benefits

The medicinal herb Dokudami has many health benefits

Dokudami, also known as Houttuynia Cordata, is a plant that has a long history as a medicine. It is also used in cooking as well as teas such as Dokudami Cha, which literally translates to “Houttuynia cordata tea.” This tea is made from a blend of Houttuynia cordata and oolong tea leaves and Job's Tear's, a tall tropical plant that bears grains. The plant itself can be found in many Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and southern China. It grows mainly in moist, dark areas and can be found at any time of the year and at any time of the year.

What health benefits does this tea leaf provide? This entirely depends on how it is used internally or externally. In Asia, Dokudami is considered a panacea. When taken internally, it is believed to help with the following conditions: cervical infection, cough, enteritis, gastritis, infected wounds, cystitis, chronic bronchitis, lung abscesses, pharyngitis, snake bites, urinary tract infections and tumors. When used externally, it can be used for abscesses, analgesics, bone growth simulation, boils, diuretics, snake bites, swelling, hemorrhoids, mild laxative, urinary antiseptic and detoxification. Now, some of this is probably legendary folklore, but studies have been conducted that provide a scientific background to how dokudami works as a medicinal herb.

One of the health benefits of dokudami that has some scientific evidence behind it is that it can help fight asthma and allergies. These disorders both cause too much histamine to be released. It can also remove free radicals from the body that are not supposed to be there, which come from processed foods, pollution, and chemicals in water. Free radicals are believed to cause cancer and accelerate aging. Dokudami has also been found to ward off bacteria that are harmful to the body. It is particularly useful in fighting two types of bacteria that cause acne.

Another benefit of Dokudami is that it strengthens the immune system. This is done by increasing the amount of lymphocytes, white blood cells, that are produced. It can also help reduce inflammation. When SARS occurred in China, Dokudami was chosen as one of eight tools to treat it. It can help treat an infection within 24 hours of receiving an injection. Another thing that Dokudami can do is reduce swelling, which is due to reducing inflammation. Much of the tea leaf's belief in healing may simply be an old wives' tale, but it does have some scientifically verified benefits.