Houttuynia cordata, commonly known as猪鼻孔 (pig's nostril) or 侧耳根 (side ear root), is the root or whole herb of the perennial herbaceous plant Houttuynia cordata from the Saururaceae family. Houttuynia cordata is pungent in taste and cold in nature, capable of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and draining pus, promoting urination to remove dampness, and strengthening the stomach to aid digestion. "Ming Yi Bie Lu" states: It treats scorpion and centipede stings and sores. "Dian Nan Ben Cao" states: It treats lung abscesses with coughing of pus and blood, foul phlegm, and toxic heat in the large intestine, and also hemorrhoids. "Ben Cao Gang Mu" states: It dispels toxic heat for abscesses, sores, hemorrhoids, and rectal prolapse. "Yi Lin Zuan Yao" states: It promotes urination, resolves hard masses, expels miasma, and relieves summer heat. It treats snake and insect venom, beriberi, and suppurative carbuncles, and removes blood stasis. "Ling Nan Cai Yao Lu": The leaves: Applied to malignant and large sores to disinfect; Decocted and taken internally to remove damp-heat and treat dysentery.
Clinically, Houttuynia cordata is mainly used in three aspects: First, for lung-heat cough with yellow and thick phlegm, it can be used with herbs such as Scutellaria baicalensis, Fritillaria thunbergii, and Anemarrhena asphodeloides. Second, for toxic sores and abscesses, it is often decocted with heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs like Lonicera japonica and Forsythia suspensa for internal use, or ground into a powder for external application. Third, for painful and difficult urination, it can effectively dilate renal vessels, acting as a diuretic.
Pharmacological studies have shown that Houttuynia cordata mainly contains volatile oils, decanoyl acetaldehyde (houttuynin), and other components. It has an inhibitory and antibacterial effect against various pathogenic bacilli, cocci, influenza viruses, and Leptospira, and can improve the body's immune regulatory function. Abroad, a substance with anti-cancer properties has also been isolated from Houttuynia cordata. In addition to being effective against stomach cancer, it also has a certain therapeutic and regulatory effect on middle to late-stage lung cancer, choriocarcinoma, malignant hydatidiform mole, and rectal cancer.
Houttuynia cordata can also be eaten as a vegetable, with raw consumption being the best due to its unique aroma and distinctive taste, making it pleasant and palatable. A cold salad as a side dish stimulates the appetite, enhances food intake, and improves digestive function. It can also be stir-fried, decocted into a soup, cooked into congee, or used in stewed meat dishes. In Japan, Houttuynia cordata is also popular. In addition to traditional Chinese medicine formulas and dietary therapy, it is also used as a functional health food (e.g., as an additive in tea, beverages, etc.). However, Houttuynia cordata is not suitable for everyone. Those with a weak and cold spleen and stomach, or those who are prone to colds, should avoid taking it. Here are a few proven prescriptions.
Lung abscess: 30g of Houttuynia cordata, 15g of Platycodon grandiflorus, decocted in water for oral administration or ground into a powder to be taken with water.
Dysentery: 20g of Houttuynia cordata, 6g of carbonized Hawthorn, decocted in water with honey added for oral administration.
Chronic constipation: 5-10g of Houttuynia cordata, steeped in boiled water for 10-12 minutes and then drunk as tea. During the treatment period, discontinue other medications. 10 days constitute one course of treatment.
Cold and fever: 20g of Isodon lophanthoides (fine-leaved), 16g of Houttuynia cordata, decocted in water for oral administration. Alternatively, grind the above herbs into a fine powder, decoct and filter the liquid, concentrate it, mix it with the fine powder, and press into tablets. Each tablet is 0.3g. Take 3-4 tablets three times a day, with the dose reduced for children.