Pinyin: Yuxingcao
Aliases
Zucai, Chouxingcao, Zhe'ergen.
Source
Herb from the family Saururaceae: *Houttuynia cordata*Houttuynia cordataThunb. fresh whole herb or dried aerial parts.
Botanical Description
A perennial malodorous herb, up to 60 cm tall. Stem prostrate at the base with whorls of small roots at the nodes, erect above, glabrous or hairy at the nodes. Leaves alternate, thin-papery, glandular; petiole 1-4 cm long, stipules membranous, linear, 2-5 cm long, lower part adnate to the petiole forming a sheath, base expanded, slightly clasping the stem; leaf blade ovate or broadly ovate, 4-10 cm long, 3-6 cm wide, apex shortly acuminate, base cordate, margin entire, upper surface green, lower surface often purplish-red, both surfaces hairy along the veins. Spike inflorescence terminal, approximately 2 cm long, about 5 cm wide, opposite the leaves; involucral bracts 4, oblong or obovate, 1-1.5 cm long, approximately 0.6 cm wide, white; flowers small and dense, without perianth; stamens 3, filaments 3 times as long as the anthers, lower part adnate to the ovary; pistil 1, composed of 3 carpels, ovary superior, styles 3, separate. Capsule ovoid, 2-3 mm long, dehiscent at the apex, with persistent styles. Seeds numerous, ovoid. Flowering period May to June, fruiting period October to November.
Habitat and Distribution
1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.
Harvesting and Processing
Fresh product can be harvested year-round; dried product is harvested in summer when stems and leaves are lush and flower spikes are abundant, remove impurities, and dry in the sun.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains hyperoside, afzelin, isoquercitrin, rutin, bornyl acetate,α1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally. Internal use: decoct 3-10 g.β- Contains components such as sitosterol.
Pharmacology
It has antibacterial, antiviral, immune-enhancing, and diuretic effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Acrid, slightly cold. Enters the Lung channel.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat, resolves toxicity, disperses abscesses, and expels pus; promotes urination and relieves dysuria. Used for lung abscess with purulent sputum, phlegm-heat asthma and cough, heat dysentery, heat stranguria, and abscesses, swelling, sores, and toxin.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct 15-25 g, do not decoct for too long; or crush fresh product for juice, double the dosage. External: apply appropriate amount, crushed and applied directly, or decoct for steam fumigation and washing.
Precautions and Contraindications
Patients with deficiency-cold syndrome should use with caution.
Prescriptions
1. For dysentery: Yuxingcao (Houttuynia cordata) 18 g, processed charcoal of Shanzha (Crataegus pinnatifida) 6 g. Decoct in water and take with honey. (Lingnan Herbal Records) 2. For pulmonary abscess with pus and blood in sputum: Yuxingcao, Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes kirilowii root), and Cebaive (Platycladus orientalis leaf), equal parts. Decoct and take the decoction. (Diannan Bencao) 3. For viral pneumonia, bronchitis, and common cold: Yuxingcao, Houpo (Magnolia officinalis bark), and Lianqiao (Forsythia suspensa fruit) 9 g each, grind into powder. Decoct Sangzhi (Morus alba twig) 30 g in water, then use the decoction to take the powdered herbs. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine) 4. For scabies and tinea: Crush fresh Yuxingcao and apply externally to the affected area. (Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) 5. For tonsillitis: Fresh Yuxingcao and fresh Jingucao (Ajuga decumbens) 15 g each, with an appropriate amount of Youzi (grapefruit seeds). Crush together, extract the juice, and take mixed with honey. (Fujin Materia Medica) 6. For food accumulation and abdominal distension: Fresh Yuxingcao 30 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) 7. For urticaria (hives): Crush fresh Yuxingcao and rub it on the affected area. (Nanyao, from Chinese Herbal Medicine)
