At 1st Chinese Herbs, we believe the best healing blends time-honored herbal traditions with today’s scientific understanding. Our commitment is to bring you the highest quality Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs—sourced with care, tested for purity, and rooted in centuries of real-world use.
Today, we shine a spotlight on an herb that flies under the radar for many, but has long held a vital place in Chinese herbal practice: Yu Xing Cao (鱼腥草), also known as Houttuynia cordata, or “Fish Mint.” While its pungent aroma may raise eyebrows in the kitchen, this herb isn’t about culinary flair—it’s a functional botanical powerhouse used for serious work inside the body.
Whether you’ve come searching for natural lung support, a gut-soothing detox herb, or a deeper understanding of underused TCM botanicals, Yu Xing Cao offers something surprisingly potent—and surprisingly relevant in today’s world of viral threats, antibiotic resistance, and microbiome imbalance.
You may not have arrived here thinking, “What I really need is a strong-smelling leaf to clear out inflammation, infection, and toxins.” But here you are—and you’re in the right place.
In the next sections, we’ll explore:
Why Yu Xing Cao is a go-to herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas for lung heat, intestinal damp-heat, and toxic stagnation
What modern research reveals about its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
How to use it effectively at home—including recipes, dosage guidelines, and smart herbal combinations
Who should consider using Yu Xing Cao—and who should avoid it
And most importantly for many of our visitors:
How Yu Xing Cao may offer supportive benefits for individuals dealing with chronic Lyme disease, co-infections, or gut-lung immune dysfunction—areas where its historical use and modern applications intersect powerfully
Whether you’re an experienced herbalist or just beginning your wellness journey, this page offers a deep dive into Yu Xing Cao, the fishy-scented botanical with fierce benefits—and growing relevance for immune-compromised conditions like Lyme disease.
Chinese Name: Yu Xing Cao (鱼腥草)
Botanical Name: Houttuynia cordata
English Common Names: Fish Mint, Chameleon Plant, Heartleaf
Taste & Nature: Acrid, slightly cold
TCM Category: Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
Meridians Entered: Lung, Large Intestine
Yu Xing Cao is known for its unique ability to clear heat, reduce toxins, drain pus, and stop dysentery. It’s primarily used for:
Lung infections (including cough with yellow phlegm or pneumonia)
Sore throats and heat toxins in the respiratory tract
Abscesses and boils
Damp-heat in the intestines, such as bacterial diarrhea
Scientific Research:
Modern studies confirm Yu Xing Cao’s broad-spectrum potential:
Antibacterial & Antiviral Effects: Effective against E. coli, Staph aureus, and respiratory viruses (PubMed)
Anti-inflammatory & Immunomodulatory: Supports cytokine regulation and immune response
Gut Microbiota Modulation: Helps restore microbial balance in dysbiosis-related disorders
Lung Health & COVID-era Relevance: Studied as a botanical support for pulmonary inflammation
Primary Benefits of Yu Xing Cao
| Benefit | TCM Explanation | Modern View |
|---|---|---|
| Clears Lung Heat | Reduces phlegm and infection-related heat | Respiratory tract infections, bronchitis |
| Detoxifies and Relieves Toxins | Cools blood, reduces pus and swellings | Antibacterial, antimicrobial properties |
| Promotes Urination | Clears damp-heat from lower burner | Supports kidney and bladder detox |
| Supports Gut and Immunity | Clears toxic accumulation from intestines | Promotes healthy gut flora, modulates inflammation |
When to Use Yu Xing Cao
Cough with thick yellow sputum
Lung abscess or phlegm-heat congestion
Diarrhea from damp-heat or infection
Skin abscess or external infections
Viral or bacterial flare-ups, especially in lungs or gut
Not typically used long-term. Ideal for acute conditions, bacterial overgrowth, or lung flare-ups.
How to Use Yu Xing Cao
Check out our step by step page on How To Use Herbs
| Form | Usage Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried Herb | Simmer into decoction (10–15g daily) | Best in formulas or combined with clearing herbs |
| Tincture | Take 30–60 drops in water, 2–3x per day | Convenient for acute support |
| Powder | Mix into capsules or warm water, 1–2g daily | Combine with cooling herbs to ease taste |
| External Use | Apply decoction to boils or infections | Antibacterial properties effective topically |
Pro Tip: Yu Xing Cao is often used with Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) and Huang Qin (Scutellaria) for respiratory heat and infection.
Cautions & Interactions
Avoid in cases of cold from deficiency (chronic weak digestion or loose stools)
Not recommended for long-term use without practitioner guidance
May cause nausea in sensitive individuals (aroma is strong)
Use with caution in pregnancy or breastfeeding
Common Questions About Yu Xing Cao
Q: Does Yu Xing Cao really smell like fish?
A: Yes—it’s nicknamed "Fish Mint" for a reason. The aroma comes from volatile oils responsible for its antimicrobial effects.
Q: Can I grow Yu Xing Cao at home?
A: Yes! It’s a fast-spreading, hardy perennial often grown in moist soil or containers.
Q: Is this herb safe to use during infections?
A: When used appropriately, Yu Xing Cao is a go-to TCM herb for respiratory and intestinal infections, often paired with clearing and detoxifying herbs.
Compare: Yu Xing Cao vs. Similar Herbs
| Herb | Best For | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Yu Xing Cao | Lung heat, gut heat, pus/infection | Stronger in clearing heat and pus |
| Huang Qin | Liver heat, upper burner fire | Better for inflammation without damp |
| Jin Yin Hua | Wind-heat, sore throat | More gentle; combines well with Yu Xing Cao |
| Ban Lan Gen | Viral sore throat, swollen glands | Often paired in infection-fighting formulas |
Buy Yu Xing Cao at 1st Chinese Herbs
We offer premium-grade Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia cordata), wildcrafted and tested for purity, so you can trust every scoop.
Available in cut & sifted, tincture, and bulk powder
Lab-tested, sulfur-free, TCM-approved
Shipped fresh and fast from our U.S. warehouse
Shop Yu Xing Cao Now see all forms below
Need help combining this herb into a custom formula? Contact us — we’re happy to help!
Ingredients (1–2 servings):
Dried Yu Xing Cao: 5–10 grams (about 1–2 tablespoons)
Filtered water: 2–3 cups
Optional additions (for flavor or synergy):
Mint leaves – cooling, helps with the strong aroma
Licorice root – harmonizes the formula and eases bitterness
Honey or lemon – to improve taste after steeping
Instructions:
Rinse the herbs
Quickly rinse the dried Yu Xing Cao in cool water to remove any dust or debris.
Simmer the herbs
In a small saucepan or herbal teapot, add Yu Xing Cao and water. Bring to a boil.
Reduce and simmer
Lower the heat and let the tea simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, covered.
Strain and serve
Remove from heat, strain out the herbs, and pour into a cup. Add optional ingredients like honey, lemon, or mint.
How Often to Drink:
For acute conditions (respiratory infections, lung heat, or gut issues):
1–2 cups daily for up to 5–7 days.
For maintenance or seasonal support:
2–3 times per week as part of a cleansing protocol.
Notes & Precautions:
Not for long-term use without professional guidance.
Avoid use during pregnancy, or if you have a cold from deficiency (with chills, loose stool).
The aroma is strong—blending with herbs like mint, licorice, or chrysanthemum can make it more pleasant.
Want Recipes Using Yu Xing Cao?
We’re happy to share immune, respiratory, and detox herbal tea recipes using Yu Xing Cao.
Just email us through our contact form, and we’ll send them your way.
Sources & Further Reading
PubMed ID: 32867815 — “Houttuynia cordata: A multifunctional medicinal plant for immune and inflammatory disorders”
Additional TCM literature from Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica by Dan Bensky et al.
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
A study titled "Bioactive Components of Houttuynia cordata Thunb and Their Potential Mechanisms Against COVID-19 Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approaches" investigates how components like quercetin and kaempferol in Houttuynia cordata may intervene in COVID-19 and cytokine storms through multiple molecular targets.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The same study also discusses how Houttuynia cordata enhances macrophage function and reduces oxidative stress, contributing to lung detoxification and immune modulation.
Another study titled "Sodium houttuyfonate derived from Houttuynia cordata Thunb improves intestinal malfunction via maintaining gut microflora stability in Candida albicans overgrowth aggravated ulcerative colitis" explores how sodium houttuyfonate, derived from Houttuynia cordata, helps in maintaining gut microflora stability and alleviating intestinal issues.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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