Houttuynia Cordata / Yu Xing Cao 16oz

【Benefits】

In traditional Chinese medicine, dried Houttuynia cordata (Dried Yu Xing Cao, Dried Fish Mint) is valued for its effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving carbuncles and expelling pus, and promoting diuresis and treating stranguria. It effectively alleviates symptoms like lung heat cough and lung abscess with purulent sputum, sore throat and tonsillitis due to fire toxin, carbuncles and furuncles, and damp-heat stranguria with painful urination. From a modern research perspective, it contains bioactive components such as houttuynin (decanoyl acetaldehyde), flavonoids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides, which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and diuretic effects, helping to relieve inflammatory discomfort and enhance the body's resistance.

【Nicknames】

Dried Heartleaf Houttuynia, Dried Fish Mint, Dried Zhe'ergen, Dried Bitter Herb, Dried Ce'ergen, Dried Pig Nostril Herb

【Properties and Tastes】

Tastes pungent; slightly cold in nature; enters the Lung and Bladder meridians

【Medicinal Components & Effects】

Dried Houttuynia cordata is rich in active components. Houttuynin (decanoyl acetaldehyde) is the key, exerting strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects by inhibiting pathogenic microorganisms (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and influenza virus). Flavonoids and polysaccharides have immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties, enhancing immune cell activity and scavenging free radicals. Volatile oils and potassium salts contribute to promoting diuresis and relieving stranguria, improving urinary discomfort. These components work together to clear heat, detoxify, resolve carbuncles, and maintain the body's respiratory and urinary system health.

【Storage Methods】

• Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place (temperature 10–15℃, humidity below 60%) in airtight containers like glass jars or vacuum-sealed bags. Add 1–2 packs of desiccants for long-term storage to avoid mold, insect infestation, and loss of volatile components.
• Avoid direct sunlight and odorous substances. Regularly check for mold spots, discoloration, or unusual odor—discard immediately if any spoilage is found.

【Usage and Dosage】

• Decoction: 6–15 grams per day. Do not decoct for too long (10–15 minutes) to prevent volatilization of active volatile oils.
• Tea Infusion: 5–10 grams of dried Houttuynia cordata, steep in boiling water for 10–15 minutes, drink as a tea. Suitable for daily heat-clearing and throat-soothing.
• Edible in Diet: Suitable for soup making, congee cooking, or tea infusion. It can be paired with pear, lily bulb, or lean pork to enhance therapeutic effects.

【Precautions】

• Use with caution in people with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Manifestations include abdominal cold pain, loose stools, and poor appetite—its slightly cold nature may aggravate digestive discomfort.
• Allergy-prone people use with caution: Those allergic to Houttuynia cordata may experience skin itching, rash, or dizziness—stop eating immediately if adverse reactions occur.
• Avoid long-term and excessive consumption: Long-term use may damage spleen and stomach yang qi, especially for people with weak constitution. It is advisable to use it intermittently.
• Do not decoct for too long: Prolonged decoction will reduce the content of volatile active components, weakening its therapeutic effects.

【Matching Diet Therapy】

Dried Houttuynia cordata and Pear Soup

• Ingredients: Dried Houttuynia cordata 10g, pear 1 piece (peeled and cored), rock sugar (optional).
• Preparation: Rinse dried Houttuynia cordata; cut pear into pieces. Put all ingredients into a pot, add 500ml water, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes. Add rock sugar if desired.
• Effects: Clears lung heat, moistens dryness and soothes the throat. Suitable for people with lung heat cough, sore throat, or dry mouth. It helps relieve respiratory discomfort and moisten the lungs.

Dried Houttuynia cordata and Lily Lean Pork Soup

• Ingredients: Dried Houttuynia cordata 10g, lily bulb 15g, lean pork 200g, ginger 2 slices, salt to taste.
• Preparation: Rinse dried Houttuynia cordata and lily bulb; blanch lean pork to remove blood. Put all ingredients into a pot, add enough water, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. Season with salt.
• Effects: Clears heat and detoxifies, nourishes yin and moistens the lungs. Suitable for people with yin deficiency and lung heat, chronic cough, or physical weakness after illness.