Yú Xīng Cǎo (鱼腥草) — Houttuynia
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Yú Xīng Cǎo (鱼腥草), literally “fishy-smelling herb”, is the aerial parts of Houttuynia cordata. It belongs to the category of Herbs that clear heat and resolve toxicity in the Chinese Materia Medica and is the leading herb in Chinese herbal medicine for Lung abscess, hot productive cough and acute respiratory infection with heat signs.
I prescribe Yú Xīng Cǎo as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Yú Xīng Cǎo |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 鱼腥草 |
| Latin name | Houttuynia cordata |
| English name | Houttuynia / Fish mint / Chameleon plant |
| Nature | Slightly cold |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels entered | Lung |
| Category | Herbs that clear heat and resolve toxicity |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears heat, resolves toxicity and reduces abscess — especially in the Lung
- Promotes urination and clears Damp-Heat from the lower burner
Indications
- Lung abscess with cough, fever and foul-smelling purulent sputum
- Acute bronchitis or pneumonia with thick yellow phlegm
- Damp-Heat dysentery and acute urinary tract infection
- Heat-toxin carbuncles, snake bite and chronic sinusitis
4. Modern research
Houttuynia contains an essential oil rich in decanoyl-acetaldehyde (houttuynin), flavonoids (quercitrin, hyperin) and alkaloids. Pharmacological studies report broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral (including SARS-CoV and influenza), anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Decanoyl-acetaldehyde is unstable in decoction and is best preserved in concentrated granules.
5. Cautions and contraindications
Contraindicated in cold-deficient patterns and in patients with chronic carbuncles from Yin deficiency. Rare hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with injectable preparations (not used in our practice).
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Yú Xīng Cǎo as part of tailored herbal formulas for chronic sinusitis with thick yellow discharge, post-viral productive cough, recurrent chest infections, and Damp-Heat urinary patterns. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.
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