Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Houttuyniae Herba |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 魚腥草 · Yu Xing Cao |
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| Medicinal Part | Whole herbs |
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| Efficacy Category | Heat-clearing |
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| Botanical Origin | The fresh or dried aerial portion of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.(Saururaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Slightly cold |
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| Channels Entered | Lung |
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What Is Yu Xing Cao?
Yu Xing Cao (Heartleaf Houttuynia Herb) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the areas south of the Yangtze River of China.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Slightly cold
Channels Entered: Lung
Yu Xing Cao: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Houttuyniae Herba
Botanical Origin
The fresh or dried aerial portion of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.(Saururaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the areas south of the Yangtze River of China.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has numerous leaves, green color, with flower spike and potent fishy odor.
Macroscopic Features
Dried piece has flat cylindrical stem, wrinkled, 20~35cm long, 0.2~0.3cm diameter; externally brownish-yellow, with numerous longitudinal ridges, obvious nodes, lower node have remnants of rootlet; brittle texture, easily broken. Opposing leaves, leaf is rolled over and wrinkled, heart-shaped after being spread flat, 3~5cm long, 3~4.5cm wide; gradually pointed apex, with entire edge; upper surface is dark yellowish-green to dark brown, lower surface is grayish-green or grayish-brown; thin and long leaf stem, base and stipule together form a sheath-like appearance. Spiked flower head grows at the apex, yellowish-brown. Produce fishy odor when mashed, slightly astringent taste.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; Slightly coldLung
Traditional Functions
Clears heat, resolves toxin, reduces swelling, and promotes urination. Apply to lung abscess, cough with yellow phlegm, sores, and lin syndrome from damp-heat.
How Yu Xing Cao Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Yu Xing Cao is classified among the Heat-clearing herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yu Xing Cao? Are patrinia and dandelion the same?
Official Yu Xing Cao (鱼腥草) is the fresh whole herb or dried aerial part of Houttuynia cordata. The pharmacopoeial name is Houttuyniae Herba. Patrinia is acrid-bitter and slightly cold: clears heat, resolves toxin, dissipates abscesses and expels pus. Dandelion is bitter-sweet and cold: clears heat, resolves toxin, reduces swelling and disperses nodules. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Yu Xing Cao. Use caution in vacuity cold patterns.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Yu Xing Cao?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Yu Xing Cao is acrid and slightly cold, enters the Lung channel, and acts to clear heat, resolve toxin, expel pus and dissipate abscesses, promote urination and free lin. It is used for Lung abscess with vomiting of pus, phlegm-heat panting and cough, heat dysentery, heat lin, and abscesses and sores. Acrid and slightly cold, it suits Lung heat with phlegm abscesses—not vacuity cold, or absence of heat.
How do you choose dried versus fresh herb? Can dandelion replace it?
Dried herb is stronger for clearing heat and expelling pus. Fresh herb is doubled in dose and purer. Dandelion leans to reducing swelling and dispersing nodules; it cannot replace promoting urination and freeing lin by equal weight. Commercial Houttuynia tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Yu Xing Cao
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Yu Xing Cao.
Read the Yu Xing Cao Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
