$6.95 USA Shipping • 90-Day Hassle-Free Returns

Home » Yu Xing Cao – Houttuynia – Herba Houttuyniae

Yu Xing Cao – Houttuynia – Herba Houttuyniae

Yu Xing Cao

English Name: houttuynia, fishwort herb

Literal Translation: “fishy-smelling herb”

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Houttuyniae

Medica Category: Heat-Clearing and Toxin-Eliminating Herbs

Properties: Yu Xing Cao enters the Lung channel; it is acrid in nature and cool in temperature.

What is Yu Xing Cao?:

The Chinese Herb Yu Xing Cao is the dried aerial parts the plant houttuynia cordata (also known as fish wort, fish mint, and Chinese lizard tail), a small, flowering plant native to Southeast Asia that grows in moist, shady areas.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Yu Xing Cao:

Yu Xing Cao clears heat-toxins and drains pus from the Lung channel and is used to treat lung infections, abscesses, and coughing up mucus and blood.

Yu Xing Cao clears heat and drains dampness from the lower jiao and is used to treat painful, burning dysuria (and related complaints) as well as damp-heat diarrhea and dysentery.

Additional Notes:

Yu Xing Cao is cooling, nourishing, and moistening. In China, it is often added to soups and consumed as food and is best for clearing heat from individuals heat from those who already tend to be “running hot” (e.g. menopausal women or someone with hypertension).

Latest Blog Posts

  • Chinese Herbs for Atrial Fibrillation 

    Ever feel like your heart is dancing to its own beat? You may be experiencing Atrial Fibrillation (commonly known as AFib), which is a condition that causes irregular heartbeats. Having frequent palpitations or an irregular heartbeat can be quite unsettling, plus it may bring potential health risks along with it. While modern medicine offers various…

  • Chinese Herbs for Asthma

    Struggling to breathe? That’s a feeling no one wants to experience. Unfortunately, for over 262 million people across the world, conditions like asthma can quite literally “take your breath away.” But beyond inhalers and mediations, is there anything you can do to reduce asthma attacks – or even stop them from occurring altogether? Asthma is…

  • Chinese Herbs for Fall Allergies 

    Ah, fall – the season of vibrant leaves, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-spiced everything. But for many, it also brings the less-than-pleasant arrival of fall allergies. If you’re one of those people sneezing and sniffling your way through the autumn months, you’re not alone. The constant sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose can make it difficult…