This crude drug is the whole plant (including root) of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (family: Saururaceae).

In China, this species is distributed in Northwest, North, and Central China and all areas to the south of the Changjiang River. The crude drug is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Hubei, also in Anhui, Fujian, Sichuan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou and Shaanxi.

After gathered, the whole plant is cleaned and dried in the sun.

1 Antibacteria:The whole plant of H. cordata has an antibacterial effect, and the extract fromunderground stem has the strongest inhibition on Staphylococlus aureus, Escheichiacoli and Saccarom ycescerevisiae; the extract from leaves has the strongestinhibition on Shigella dysenteroae [1-3]. The volatile oil from different partof the H. cordata has an inhibitory effect on the influenza virus. The extractsof Houttuynia cordata could effectivety inhibit the growth of series ofmicroorganism. The anticrobial minimum dosages of extracts of Houttuyniacordata were: Staphylococcus aureus 0.25%, Escherichia coli 1%, Bacillussubitilis 2%, Penicillium sp 8%, Aspergillus niger 8%, Saccaromyces cerevisiae8% respectively [4-8].

2 Anti-virus: The extracthad inhibitory effect on β-hemolytic streptococcus, S. aureus, P. aeruginosaand E.coli, and that the highest inhibitory effect was on S.aureus. A higherthan 31.25 mg/ml concentration of the extracted oil showed inhibitory effect onmultiplication of influenza virus and a complete inhibition was obtained whenthe oil concentration reached 250mg/ml. The inhibitory effect on the virus was4 times higher in the chicken embryo [9,10].

3 Immunoenhancement: Houttuynium preparationand houttuyninum strikingly strengthened the phagocytosing function ofthe peritoneal macrophage system and significantly enhanced the level ofserumhemolysin sodium. Houttuyfonate treatment induced respiratory burst andincreased the concentration of free calcium in macrophages. It was alsoobserved that the secretion of IL 2 from T cells was greatly increased by thesodium houttuyfonate treatment [11,12].

4 Diuresis: Houttuynium had diuretic effects and could be used asisokalaemic diuretics. Renal blood flow increasing is relative with diuretics[13,14].

5 Diminishes inflammationand relieves pain: HOU showed a marked suppressive effect on the mouse′s earodema induced by croton oil and on the rat′s hind paw odema induced bycarrageenin. It was also found to inhibit vascular permeability induced byacetic acid in mice. In addition, a significant analgesic effect of HOU wasobserved on inflammatory pain caused byacetic acid, formadehyde and heat stimulus [15,16].

6 Relieves cough and Antiasthmatic: The contractiveeffect of acetylcholine on bronchus was inhibited [17].

7 Anti-tumor activity: Flavonoid from Herbahouttuyniae could inhibite HL60 and B16BL6. The IC50 in HL60 and B16BL6 were0.410 and 0.122 g·L^-1 respectively. Flavonoid from Herba houttuyniaecould induce the apoptosis of HL60 and B16BL6 [18].

8 Counteracts active oxygen: Herba Houttuyniae can inhibit the lipid of rat liver toperoxidize. The water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Herba Houttuyniaecould eliminate effect on the·OH and O^-2 free-radical. Theelimination effect had the relationship with the content of polysaccharides, andthe EC50 of the polysaccharides on ·OH and O^-2· were 0.6% and6.25mg/mL [19,20].

9 The others: HerbaHouttuyniae might ameliorate the renal lesion in diabetic rats throughinhibition expression of TGF-betal and enhancing the the expression of HGF. HCTgroup, 24 h urinaty albumin excretion, 24 h excretion of beta 2 microglobin andCcr were significantly reduced as compared with diabetic model group [21]. Therenal pathology in HCT group was improved. Herba Houttuyniae could increaseInsulin sensitivity index and improve insulin resistance of DM rats. HerbaHouttuyniae could significantly decrease the plasma level of TNF α and tissuecontents of TNF α in acute lung injury induced by sepsis, improving PaO₂,decreasing the LI and LPI, thus ameliorating lung injury [22,23]. HerbaHouttuyniae can decrease the severity of lung damage and the incidence of ALI,possibly through the inhibition of the expression of TNF α in plasma andlung tissues. Houttuynia Cordata Thunb liquid had good protection andrestoration effect on the white blood cells decreased by X ray radiation andcyclophosphamide [24]. Houttuynia Cordata Thunb injection possessed obviousantipyretic effect on fever rats and inhibited the increase of cAMP inhypothalamus and promoted the release of AVP in VSA. Houttuynia Cordata Thunbcan significantly inhibit the activities of smooth muscle contraction andelectricity of rabbits. Houttuynia Cordata Thunb can restrain hair growth [26,27].

10 Intravenousinfusion: Synthetic Houttuyfonate been fed to the rats, the drug distributionis the most in the lung, so It may be beneficial for the treatment ofrespiratory diseases, followed by heart, liver, kidney and low levels of serum.Metabolism and eliminating are quick in the organization, after two hours the drugshad not existed in every organization. A variety of organizations can quicklymake the drug conversion. The drugs could not be detected in Urine, showed thatthe drugs are primarily metabolic eliminating in the body [28].

Yuxingcao (herbahouttuyniae)

1.Viral enteritis：Use the injection of yuxingcao totreat 30 cases of viral enteritis. Both groups were add water and electrolytes accordingto the nature and extent of dehydration, took Smecta, Half packet each time,three times a day. On this base, the treatmentgroup pour corresponding dose of yuxingcao injection into the colonaccording to the weight of the children. Results: The total effective rate inthe treatment group and control group were 80% and 43% respectively ^[1].

2. Pediatric urticarial:Divided the pediatric urticarial into treatment group and control group, eachgroup have 127 and 158 cases respectively; the treatment group: add yuxingcaoinjection into 5% glucose injection, once a day, intravenous drip, oralhistamine at the same time; the control group: only oral histamine. Result: thetotal effective rate of the treatment group was 92.63%, the control group was64.56%, has significant difference between the 2 groups (P<0.05) ^[2].

3. Epidemic keratitis: Dividedthe epidemickeratoconjunctivitis patients into 2 groups, the observation groupwere 104 patients (165eyes) treated with yuxingcao (herbahouttuyniae) eyedrops; the control group were 60 patients (99 eyes) treated with 4%moroxydine (ABOB) eye drops, 10days as a course of treatment in both groups. Result:the curativerate in the observation group and control group were 85.5%and 49.5% respectively. The curative effect had significant differencebetween the two groups (P<0.01). The results showed that the yuxingcao (herbahouttuyniae)havegood curative effect on epidemickeratoconjunctivitis.

4. Epidemic parotiditis: It was reported that the compound yuxingcao(herbahouttuyniae) tablets (contentoriginal medicinal 2g) had good therapeuticeffect on epidemic parotiditis. Patients were divided intotwo groups, observation group (n=40) were given compound yuxingcao(herbahouttuyniae) tablets, oral,2-4 year-old took 2 tables each time. 3-6 year-old took 3 tables each time,8-13 year-old took 4 tables each time. 3 times a day. The control group (n=40)were oral banlangen (radix isatidis) plus moroxydine. Results: compared with the 2 groups,the defervescencetime, masses began and completely resolved time have significant difference.The observationgroup was superior to the control group (P<0.01)^[4].

5、pulmonitis: Li Bing Yi^[5],et al. reported that 35 aged pneumonia patients on thebase of conventional treatment with western medicine add yuxingcao (herbahouttuyniae) Injection intravenous drip, the total effective rate was 94.3%, significantly greater than thecontrol group which only used western medicine routine treatment(83.3%). Wang Xia reported that 156 children with pulmonitis were divided intotreatment group and control group randamly, the treatment group were given new SodiumHouttuyfonate injection compatibility of antibiotics to therapy. The control group was therapied by ribavirin compatibility of antibiotics. There was a significant differenceof the total response rate between the two groups, the treatment group was better than the control group.

6、acuteupper respiratory tract infe ction:  Li Chao You ^[7] reported that,dividesthe 93 upper respiratory tract infection patients into treatment group and control group randomly. The treatment group added newyuxingcao sodium injection based on the same treatment, the total effectiverate of the treatment group was 96%, the control group was 87%, the treatmentsuperior to the control group. Li jinghe ^[8], etc. reported thatdivided the 196 acute infection of the upper respiratory tract into treatmentand control group randomly, treated with yuxingcao and virazole respectively.Result: the treatment group was superior to the control group.

7. tumor diseases: Zhao Xiao Qing^[9] et al. reported that, randomly took 48 cases of  patients of primary lung cancers III b, classified into control group one, control grouptwo and observation group. the control group one wasgiven western medicine calf thymic peptides, control group two wasgiven calf thymic peptides plus all nourishing decoction. The observation group was given herbahouttuyniaeInjection and oral all nourishing decoction at the same time. The control group one (n=6) overall survivalrate was 12% in two years; the controlgroup two (n=16) overall survival rate was 25% in two years; the observation group (n=16) was 37.5 % in two years.

8 gynecological  Zhang Feng Xiu^[10] et al. reported that, performed herbahouttuyniae Injectionto uterus and fallopian tube to test based on color doppler ultrasoundreal-time monitoring, found that ultrasonic could clearly see the degree of flowing liquid in the color doppler ultrasound, making the female infertility diagnosis showed more directly, and uncomfortable symptoms were less. The diagnostic rate, diagnosis rate were improved obviously.

1. Furunculosis and deep-rooted ulcer pain

2. Carbuncle, sores and pyogenic infections

3. Urticaria

4. Scabies

5. Poisonous snake and worm bite

6. Chronic nasosinusitis

7. Tonsillitis

8. Infantile diarrhea

9. Pyemesis and hematemesis due to pulmonary abscess

10. Viral pneumonia, bronchitis and cold

11. Abdominal distention due to dyspepsia

12. Dysentery

13. Heat strangury, gonorrhea and leukorrhea

14. Pruritus of vulvue and perianorectal abscess in women

15. Haemorrhoids (both internal and external)

16. Hard, swelling and unbearable urticant pain around the anus

Pharmacology Actions:

[1] Gui-hua Yan, Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin, 1960, 8 (2): 57.

[2] Antibacterial Working Group of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin, 1960, 8 (2): 59．

[3] Yang Hsueh-Chiao. C A, 1953, 47: 8175d.

[4] Bao-heng Zhang, Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials, 1981, 12 (4): 153．

[5] Guo-man Chen, Chinese herbal medicine communication, 1979, 10 (5): 210．

[6] Qi-tai Liu, Chinese herbal medicine communication, 1979, 10 (11): 519．

[7] Yuan-sheng Hou, Xu-mei Zhang, Houttuynia cordata Injection in mice in vivo antibacterial activity, China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 1990, 15 (04): 29．

[8] Ministry of Health cadre school laboratories. Jiangxi medicine information (Jiangxi Pharmaceutical School), 1972, (2): 12．

[9] Virus group of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Institute of Chinese Medicine, Chinese herbal medicine on the respiratory virus induced cytopathic effect, New medical Journal, 1973, (1): 26．

[10] Yu-tong Zhu, Nv-cai Yang, Zhang Su, The Houttuynia non-volatile oil extract antiviral preliminary research, Journal of Chinese Medicinal Materials, 1983, 14 (7): 25．

[11] Shanghai Second Medical College, Third People's Hospital. New medicine Journal, 1973, (7): 25．

[12] Xiu-li Bi, Yuan Zhou, Effects of sodium houttuyfonate on respiratory burst and intracellular free calcium concentration in macrophages and secretion of IL-2 from T cells, Journal of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 2003, 20 (3): 210.

[13] Tatsuo Ohta. C A, 1950, 44: 11030a．

[14] Yushihiro Kimura.C A, 1953, 47: 4550i．

[15] Jiang Meng, Xiao-ping Zong, Xiao-ping Dong, Fresh, dry Houttuynia pharmacodynamics, Lishizhen Medicine and Materia Medica research, 2008, 19 (06): 1315．

[16] Shuang Li, Qing-hai Yu, Jin-song Zhang, The Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Houttuyninum, Journal of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 1998, 15 (4): 272.

[17] Da-xing Zhou, Hong-xia Zhang, Mao-yi Li, The Houttuynia oil substances and anti-asthmatic effect of anti-slow reaction, Traditional Chinese Medicine Patent Prescription, 1991, 13 (6): 31．

[18] Hong-wei Fan, Wei Zai, Yan Li, Experim ental investigation for ant-i tumor activity of f lavonoid from theHouttuynia cordata Thunb. in vitroChin Hosp Pharm J, 2008, 28 (07): 528.

[19] Zhu Li, Jin-fan Zhou, Sheng-jing Long, Studies on Effect of Concha Margaritifera, Inosine, Humanum Placentle and Herba Houttuyniae on Lipid Peroxide of the Rat Liver, Practical Preventive Medicine, 2002, 9 (2): 22.

[20] Jian-xin Zhang, Study on the elimination effect of free radical of water- soluble polysaccharides of herba houttuynia extracted with microwave-assisted, Food science and technology, 2006, (08): 115.

[21] Fang Wang, Fu-er Lu, Guang Chen, Influence of Houttuynia cordata Thunb on Expression of TGF-b1 and HGF in Kidney Tissue of Streptozotocin, Induced Diaetic Rats, Chinese Journal of the Practical Chinese With Modern Medicine, 2006, 19 (14): 1713．

[22] Hai-yi Wang, Yan-feng Xiu, Effect of Herba Houttuyniae on Urinary Albumin and Insulin Resistance of Diabetes Mellitus Rats, Traditional Chinese Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacology, 2008, 19 (01): 12.

[23] Feng-lei Li, Xiao-qing Liu, Qing Liu, Houttuynia oleic acid induced acute lung injury in rat lung tissue TNF-α expression, Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology, 2003, 19 (4): 547．

[24] Yu-cui Ren, Yan-gang Zhou, Wen-juan Ling, Research on the Effect of Houttuynia Cordata Thumb Nutrient Liquid for Increase of White Blood Cells, Lit. and Inf. Prev. Med., 1999, 5 (01): 5．

[25] Hui-ling Wang, Wei Cui, Xin Qin, Effects of
Yuxingcao injection on contents of cAMP in hypothalamus and AVP in ventral septal area in fever rats, Chin J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2007, 12 (1): 78.

[26] Li-hua Zhang, Shi-jun Song, Ying Sun, Effect of Yuxingcao on Activities of Intestinal Smooth Muscle Contraction and Electricity of Rabbits, Journal of Heibei TCM and Pharmacology, 2007, 22 (1): 3-5
Clinical experiment

[1] Wang GuiRong, et al. Herbahouttuyniae Injection enema combined with smecta therapy viral enteritis 30cases. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and WesternMedicine, 2001, 21(6)421.

[2]. Wu Ji Yuan, Herbahouttuyniae Injection therapy children withacute urticaria [J]    sponsored by hubei college of traditional chinese medicine 2000, 22(5):33

[3]. Li Xiang , et al. Clinical summary ofherbahouttuyniae eye dropstherapy the Epidemickeratitis [J],journal oftraditional chinese ophthalmology , 2000, 10(4): 211-214

[4]. Guo Qian Mei, Observation ofcurative effect of Herbahouttuyniae on therapying epidemic parotiditis [J], ChineseJournal of Practical Medicine 2003, 30(13): 39~40.

[5].Li Bing Yi, Wan Qi Nan, Observation of curative effectof Herbahouttuyniae Injection on therapyingpneumonia patients in the aged[J],  InternationalJournal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2006, 28(3): 151.

[6].Wang Xia, Observation ofcurative effect of new Herbahouttuyniae sodiuminjection on therapyingchildren bronchial pneumonia[J],Chinese Journal of Current Traditional and Western Medicine, 2005, 3(12): 1083.

[7].LiChaoYou , Observation ofcurative effect of new Herbahouttuyniae sodiuminjection on therapyinginfantile upperrespiratory tract infection[J],  Modern Journal of IntegratedTraditional Chinese and Western Medicine ,2005, 14(19): 2531.

[8]. Li Jing He, Li Zhi Cheng, Chen Wen, Observation of curative effectof Herbahouttuyniae Injection on therapyingacute upper respiratory tractinfection for 196 cases [J]. Li shi zhen Medicine and Materia MedicaResearch, 2006, 17(3): 404.

[9]. Zhao XiaoQing, Wang CaiLu, QuLi, Herbahouttuyniae Injectionand some Chinese Medicine therapyingadvanced lung cancer for16 cases [J], Journal of Liaoning College of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2001, 3(2): 163

[10]. Zhang FengXiu, Sheng ShuTing. Using ultrasonic to monitorthe clinical value ofYuxingcao Injection performedflowing liquid to uterus and fallopiantube. Guangxi MedicalJournal, 2006, 28(3): 366.