Đánh giá ảnh hưởng của diếp cá (Houttuynia cordata Thunb.) với các triệu chứng thể chất ở sinh viên có thể chất thấp nhiệt theo y học cổ truyền

The concept of body constitution, particularly "damp-heat constitution" (thể chất Thấp nhiệt), is central to Traditional Medicine (Y học cổ truyền) and is increasingly recognized for its impact on health, especially among student populations influenced by modern lifestyles and hot, humid climates. This imbalance manifests through various physical symptoms, potentially affecting overall well-being and academic performance. Addressing damp-heat constitution is crucial for disease prevention and enhancing quality of life. Dietary interventions, rooted in the "Food as Medicine" philosophy (thực dược đồng nguyên), offer a safe and accessible approach. Houttuynia cordata (Diếp cá), a widely used herb in Asian traditional medicine, is known for its therapeutic properties. However, clinical evidence specifically evaluating its effects on damp-heat constitution symptoms in students remains limited. This study aims to bridge this gap by assessing the impact of Houttuynia cordata on physical symptoms in students identified with damp-heat constitution.

Traditional medicine practitioners and researchers, healthcare professionals, students, and individuals interested in natural remedies for body constitution management, particularly damp-heat constitution.

This pilot intervention study investigated the effects of daily Houttuynia cordata intake on physical symptoms in students with damp-heat constitution. A non-blinded pre-post design was employed from February to April 2025, involving 30 healthy student volunteers aged 18 and above from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. Participants were identified with damp-heat constitution using the CCMQ questionnaire and consumed 40 grams of fresh Houttuynia cordata daily for 15 days. Symptom frequency and severity were assessed using a symptom score and the NRS scale at baseline, day 7, and day 15, with adverse events monitored throughout. Results showed significant reductions (p < 0.001) in the frequency and severity of typical damp-heat symptoms, including yellow urine, fatigue, sticky stools, bitter mouth, and abdominal distension, after both 7 and 15 days of intervention. By day 15, 96.7% of students reported only mild symptoms, with no severe cases observed. Only one moderate case of bloating and belching occurred, which resolved after dose reduction, confirming the short-term safety of Houttuynia cordata. These findings underscore the herb's potential in improving liver-kidney detoxification, as well as digestive and metabolic functions. The study provides crucial empirical evidence supporting Houttuynia cordata as an effective and safe dietary intervention for balancing damp-heat constitution. While promising, the authors recommend further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods to validate these results and broaden their applicability beyond this initial pilot study.