About This Herb*
Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties
Herb Description*
Yu Xing Cao, known as fish mint or houttuynia, is a strongly antimicrobial herb primarily used for respiratory infections and Lung conditions. It is the go-to herb in Chinese medicine for lung abscesses and is also widely used for urinary tract infections and skin infections with Heat and pus. In southwestern China, the fresh root (called 'fold-ear root') is eaten as a popular vegetable.
Herb Category*
Main Actions*
- Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity
- Expels Pus and Reduces Swelling
- Promotes Urination and Relieves Stranguria
- Clears Lung Heat
How These Actions Work*
'Clears Heat and resolves toxins' means this herb has a strong ability to counteract infections and inflammatory Heat conditions in the body, particularly those caused by what TCM calls 'Heat toxins.' This makes it especially useful for conditions involving pus, swelling, and infection. It is sometimes called a 'natural antibiotic' in Chinese medicine because of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects.
'Reduces abscesses and expels pus' refers to the herb's special affinity for treating Lung abscesses (a condition called 'Lung abscess' or fèi yōng in TCM). When Heat toxins accumulate in the Lungs, they can cause tissue breakdown and pus formation. Yu Xing Cao is considered THE key herb for this pattern, able to clear the infection and help the body discharge the pus. It is used for conditions like coughing up foul-smelling yellow or bloody phlegm.
'Promotes urination and frees strangury' means the herb helps clear Damp-Heat from the urinary system, relieving painful, difficult, or burning urination. This action is why it is used for urinary tract infections with symptoms of urgency, burning, and cloudy urine.
Patterns Addressed*
In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Yu Xing Cao is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.
The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.
Why Yu Xing Cao addresses this pattern
Yu Xing Cao is acrid and slightly cold, entering the Lung channel. Its acrid taste disperses congestion, while its cold nature clears Heat. Together, these properties make it ideally suited for Phlegm-Heat accumulating in the Lungs. When Heat toxins combine with Phlegm in the Lungs, they cause thick, yellow, foul-smelling sputum, cough, and chest pain. Yu Xing Cao directly clears Lung Heat, resolves the toxins fueling the infection, and expels the purulent discharge. It is considered the foremost herb for Lung abscess (fèi yōng).
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Coughing up thick yellow or foul-smelling phlegm, possibly with blood or pus
Chest pain that worsens with coughing
Low-grade or persistent fever
Laboured breathing with a feeling of fullness in the chest
Why Yu Xing Cao addresses this pattern
Yu Xing Cao's acrid, cold nature allows it to clear Damp-Heat from the lower body, particularly the Bladder. While its primary channel entry is the Lung, classical texts note its ability to clear Bladder Damp-Heat and promote urination. The acrid taste helps move stagnant fluids, while the cold nature cools the burning Heat causing painful urination. This makes it a useful herb for urinary tract infections caused by Damp-Heat accumulation.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Burning or stinging pain during urination
Frequent, urgent urination with small volumes
Dark, cloudy, or turbid urine
Why Yu Xing Cao addresses this pattern
Toxic Heat refers to severe Heat conditions that cause tissue breakdown, suppuration, and abscess formation anywhere in the body. Yu Xing Cao's powerful Heat-clearing and toxin-resolving properties make it broadly applicable for skin infections, boils, and abscesses. Fresh Yu Xing Cao can be mashed and applied directly to infected sores and swellings as a poultice, using both its internal Heat-clearing action and direct topical antimicrobial effects.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Red, hot, swollen, painful skin lesions with pus
Boils or carbuncles that are inflamed and suppurating
TCM Properties*
Slightly Cool
Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)
Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)
This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.