Herb

Yu Xing Cao

Houttuynia herb | 鱼腥草

Also known as:

Ji Cai (蕺菜) , Zhe Er Gen (折耳根) , Ce Er Gen (侧耳根)

Yu Xing Cao

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Properties

Herbs that clear Heat and resolve Toxicity (清热解毒药) · Slightly Cool

Traditionally supports*

Respiratory Health Urinary Health Immune Support Skin Health

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

Yu Xing Cao, known as fish mint or houttuynia, is a strongly antimicrobial herb primarily used for respiratory infections and Lung conditions. It is the go-to herb in Chinese medicine for lung abscesses and is also widely used for urinary tract infections and skin infections with Heat and pus. In southwestern China, the fresh root (called 'fold-ear root') is eaten as a popular vegetable.

Herb Category

Herbs that clear Heat and resolve Toxicity (清热解毒药)

Main Actions

  • Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity
  • Expels Pus and Reduces Swelling
  • Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria
  • Clears Lung Heat

How These Actions Work

'Clears Heat and resolves toxins' means this herb has a strong ability to counteract infections and inflammatory Heat conditions in the body, particularly those caused by what TCM calls 'Heat toxins.' This makes it especially useful for conditions involving pus, swelling, and infection. It is sometimes called a 'natural antibiotic' in Chinese medicine because of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects.

'Reduces abscesses and expels pus' refers to the herb's special affinity for treating Lung abscesses (a condition called 'Lung abscess' or fèi yōng in TCM). When Heat toxins accumulate in the Lungs, they can cause tissue breakdown and pus formation. Yu Xing Cao is considered THE key herb for this pattern, able to clear the infection and help the body discharge the pus. It is used for conditions like coughing up foul-smelling yellow or bloody phlegm.

'Promotes urination and frees strangury' means the herb helps clear Damp-Heat from the urinary system, relieving painful, difficult, or burning urination. This action is why it is used for urinary tract infections with symptoms of urgency, burning, and cloudy urine.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Yu Xing Cao is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

Why Yu Xing Cao addresses this pattern

Yu Xing Cao is acrid and slightly cold, entering the Lung channel. Its acrid taste disperses congestion, while its cold nature clears Heat. Together, these properties make it ideally suited for Phlegm-Heat accumulating in the Lungs. When Heat toxins combine with Phlegm in the Lungs, they cause thick, yellow, foul-smelling sputum, cough, and chest pain. Yu Xing Cao directly clears Lung Heat, resolves the toxins fueling the infection, and expels the purulent discharge. It is considered the foremost herb for Lung abscess (fèi yōng).

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Coughing up thick yellow or foul-smelling phlegm, possibly with blood or pus

Chest Pain

Chest pain that worsens with coughing

Fever

Low-grade or persistent fever

Shortness Of Breath

Laboured breathing with a feeling of fullness in the chest

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels Entered
Lungs
Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

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Botanical & Sourcing

Quality Indicators

Good quality dried Yu Xing Cao should have abundant intact leaves that are green to dark yellowish-green, with visible flower spikes (穗状花序) still attached. The stems should be pale reddish-brown, flattened cylindrical, and easily snapped (indicating crispness, not dampness). When rubbed or crushed, the dried herb should still release a noticeable fishy odour, though milder than the fresh plant. The taste should be slightly astringent. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and multiple classical quality references, the standard is: "leaves abundant, colour green, flower spikes present, fishy smell strong" (以叶多、色绿、有花穗、鱼腥气浓者为佳). Avoid material that is predominantly stems with few leaves, excessively dark or mouldy, mixed with excessive dirt or root material, or lacking in characteristic aroma.

Primary Growing Regions

Yu Xing Cao is widely distributed across the Yangtze River basin and all provinces south of it, with particularly abundant production in the southwestern provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Hunan. Hubei province (especially Dangyang city in Yichang prefecture) has become the largest modern production centre, with over 100,000 mu under cultivation and accounting for over 40% of national market supply. The classical Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao identified Yangzhou and the Guanzhong region (Shaanxi) as the original dao di (terroir) producing areas. The herb also grows wild and is cultivated in Guangxi, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, and extends to Taiwan. Outside China, it is found in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Harvesting Season

Summer, when stems and leaves are luxuriant and flower spikes are abundant. Fresh herb can be harvested year-round.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

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Miscellaneous Info

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Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

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Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

15-25g (dried herb in decoction); fresh herb: double the dose

Maximum

Up to 50-60g of dried herb (or 100-120g fresh) in acute Lung Heat or abscess conditions, under practitioner supervision. Should not be decocted for extended periods.

Notes

Standard decoction dose is 15-25g of the dried herb. For acute Lung Heat conditions, Lung abscess, or severe infections, doses up to 50-60g may be used. Fresh herb is used at double the dried dose and may be juiced directly. Because Yu Xing Cao contains volatile oils that are key to its therapeutic action, it should not be boiled for a long time. Add it to the decoction in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to preserve its active aromatic compounds. For external use, fresh herb can be mashed and applied as a poultice in appropriate quantities.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Yu Xing Cao has very low oral toxicity. Animal studies show the oral LD50 of houttuynin (its key active compound) in mice is approximately 1.6 g/kg, indicating a wide safety margin. Dogs given daily oral doses of 80-160 mg/kg of houttuynin for one month showed excessive salivation and occasional vomiting but no significant effects on appetite, blood parameters, or liver and kidney function. The herb contains trace amounts of aristolactam-BII, aristolactam-AII, and aristolactam-FII (total approximately 0.016 g/kg), which are structurally related to but distinct from the nephrotoxic aristolochic acid I. Scientific consensus holds that these aristolactam compounds cannot be equated with aristolochic acid in terms of carcinogenicity, and no evidence of aristolochic acid I has been found in the plant. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Ministry of Health both classify Yu Xing Cao as safe for food and medicinal use. Note: the injectable forms of Yu Xing Cao (now a separate product category) historically caused severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, primarily due to formulation issues rather than the herb itself. Oral decoction use at standard doses has not been associated with significant adverse effects.

Contraindications

Caution

Deficiency-Cold patterns (Spleen-Stomach Yang deficiency with cold limbs, loose stools, poor appetite). Yu Xing Cao is acrid and cold in nature and will worsen cold-type conditions.

Caution

Yin-type sores and abscesses (non-inflamed, pale, slow-healing lesions without Heat signs). Classical sources explicitly caution against use in these cases.

Avoid

Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Houttuynia cordata. Some individuals experience nausea, vomiting, or skin reactions after contact or ingestion. Houttuynia cordata injection products have historically caused severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.

Caution

Prolonged or excessive use. The Ming Yi Bie Lu warns that excessive consumption causes shortness of breath, and the Tang-dynasty physician Meng Shen cautioned that long-term use damages Yang Qi and depletes essence.

Caution

Women during menstruation who have cold-type dysmenorrhea, as the herb's cold nature may worsen cramps and stagnation from cold.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

No specific pregnancy contraindication is listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia or classical texts. However, Yu Xing Cao's cold nature (微寒) means it should be used cautiously during pregnancy, particularly in women with underlying Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold. There are no documented teratogenic effects, and it has a long history of food use in southwestern China. Nonetheless, as with most cold-natured medicinal herbs, it is prudent to use only when clinically indicated and at conservative doses during pregnancy, under practitioner guidance.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindication during breastfeeding has been documented. Yu Xing Cao is classified as a medicine-food dual-use herb and is commonly eaten as a vegetable in southwestern China, suggesting general safety. However, its cold nature could theoretically affect maternal digestion and milk quality in women with weak Spleen Qi. It is advisable to use only at moderate doses and for short durations when clinically needed. Some individuals are sensitive to the herb's volatile compounds and may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, which could indirectly affect nursing comfort.

Pediatric Use

Yu Xing Cao can be used in children at reduced doses proportional to age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose. It is considered relatively safe given its classification as a food-medicine dual-use herb. For young children (under 5), use cautiously and at lower doses, as the herb's cold nature may be harsh on a developing digestive system. Watch for signs of loose stools or reduced appetite indicating cold damage to the Spleen. The herb has been used in pediatric formulas for respiratory infections and whooping cough (百日咳) in combination with other herbs.

Drug Interactions

No major drug interactions are well-documented for oral use of Yu Xing Cao in decoction form. However, given its demonstrated antibacterial properties (inhibition of S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and other pathogens), theoretical additive effects may occur when combined with antibiotic medications.

The herb's diuretic action (via quercetin and potassium salts that dilate renal arteries) suggests caution when combined with pharmaceutical diuretics or potassium-sparing agents, as electrolyte imbalances could theoretically occur with high doses.

Important historical note: Houttuynia cordata injection products (a separate pharmaceutical preparation, not traditional decoction) were associated with severe adverse reactions including anaphylactic shock and were temporarily banned in China in 2006. These reactions were attributed to the injectable formulation rather than the herb itself. This concern does not apply to oral decoction use.

Dietary Advice

When taking Yu Xing Cao for Heat-clearing purposes, avoid greasy, fried, and heavily spiced foods that may generate further internal Heat and counteract the herb's cooling action. Cold and raw foods should be consumed in moderation, especially if the person's digestion is not robust, since the herb is already cold in nature and combining it with cold foods could burden the Spleen and Stomach. Those using Yu Xing Cao as a fresh vegetable (as is common in southwestern Chinese cuisine) should be aware that daily long-term consumption is not recommended due to its medicinal potency.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this formula is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.