ជីរឆ្អាប/Fish Mint (Houttuynia cordata)

ជីរឆ្អាប, ឬ ជីរថ្ពាល់ត្រី​, ឬ ជីរដំឡូង, ឬ ជីរស្លឹកម្លូរ, Fish Mint (Houttuynia cordata). I have and grow different variations of Houttuynia genus in my garden for culinary purpose. I only became  aware of H. Cordata 'Rainbow in the modern U.S.. I'm not sure if it is natural or born out of hybridization for its ornamental foliage. But nonetheless, the taste,  scent, and other features are very much alike. Like all things I grow,  it's for my personal consumption. 

H. cordata, or Fish Mint variety is a sister variety that is traditionally grown in Cambodia and its neighboring countries. And it is   well-loved among folks in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia  such as Cambodia,  Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. There, only aerial parts is harvested for culinary purposes.  Tender leave and young shoots is harvested and is commonly used as a table condiment in an herb platter,  Salad, Wrap, and Sauce (a Khmer Chutney). In Khmer culinary it is primarily eaten raw and fresh in side dishes.

The leaves of H. Cordata is thinner,  smaler, a lime green color without color band,  and more tender than that of H. Emeiensis. 

Study have been conducted  on the two species of Houttuynia. The reported shows essential oil from different parts and species differed clearly in their antibacterial activities. The essential oil from the  Houttuynia emeiensis exhibited higher activity than Houttuynia cordata.

  • A native to Cambodia. 
  • A perennial in tropical and subtropical climate. Sensitive to frost. 
  • An erected plant with simple leaf, stand at about 10-15" above ground. Stalks has alternate nodes with heart shape leave. It has a hint of sourness. When crushed it has a slight fishy scent, hence the common name.
  • It bears white flowers with pollen grain center.
  • It thrive in moist areas, an excellent bog plant. Grow in full sun or  shade. Grow well in full sun here in USDA zone 9a. 
  • Like most Mint variety, it's easy to propagate from cutting or by division of stolons. It spread rampantly forming a thick mat of stolons reaching about 3-4" below soil surface. Container planting is highly recommended to keep them tamed.






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