- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia and southern China
- Other names
- Kameleonplant
Asia · Herb · № 686
Houttuynia cordata
Herb · Asia
Houttuynia (yu xing cao)
Houttuynia cordata
Traditionally attributed effects: detoxifies and drains pus, especially in lung infections; diuretic.
Safety notes
Not with cold from deficiency. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Whole plant, boiled briefly. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that cool heat and detoxify'. Yu xing cao means 'fishy-smelling herb'. In south-western China and Vietnam the leaf is eaten as a vegetable. It is used for pneumonia with purulent sputum and for boils; it was widely bought during the SARS outbreak. In Korea and Japan (dokudami) it is a popular tea.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, slightly cold
- Meridians
- liver, lung, bladder
Attributed effects
For infections and abscesses, especially in the lungs, boils and hot swellings (also externally), and damp heat in the lower abdomen with diarrhoea, cystitis or enteritis.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 15–40 g a day, but boil only briefly. In the West an ornamental plant (chameleon plant). The book uses it together with ginseng, mulberry bark, gua lou and platycodon as support for stopping smoking.
Combinations
- With platycodon and coix for lung abscess
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction