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Cura x Cura

Yu Xing Cao鱼腥草

Houttuyniae Herba · Houttuynia · Fish Mint

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《名医别录》

Overview

Fish mint — named for the sharp fishy smell of the fresh plant — is the first herb reached for when there is heat with pus in the Lung. Acrid and slightly cold, it clears toxic heat, drains pus, and also frees hot painful urination. The part of the herb that does the work is volatile, so it goes into the pot late and is not boiled long.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Slightly cold

Channels

Lung

Typical Dosage

15–25 g in decoction
鱼腥草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, resolves toxicity, expels pusLung abscess with foul purulent sputum, and Lung-heat cough with thick yellow phlegm.
  • Promotes urination, frees painful dribblingDamp-heat in the bladder with burning, urgent, scanty urination.
  • Clears damp-heat from the intestinesDamp-heat diarrhea and dysenteric disorder; also applied externally to hot sores and boils.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Yu Xing Cao

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Lung abscess with foul purulent sputum
    - Lung-heat cough with thick yellow phlegm
    - Burning, urgent urination from bladder damp-heat
    - Damp-heat diarrhea; hot sores and boils (external)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

PneumoniaBronchitisUrinary tract infectionLung abscess

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold in nature: not for deficiency-cold patterns, chronic watery diarrhea, or the pale sunken type of sore. Prolonged boiling destroys the aromatic fraction that carries the effect. Injectable Houttuynia preparations — which are not part of ordinary herbal practice — have caused serious allergic reactions and are restricted in China; only the decocted or fresh herb belongs in a prescription.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.