Herba Houttuyniae
Source
Herb of Houttuynia cordata Thunb., family Saururaceae.
Characteristics
Herb, 20-40 cm tall. Stem twisted, with obvious nodes, and fibrous roots
remained
at the lower part. Leaves altemate, blade cordate, 3-5 cm long and broad;
apex acuminate and entire; petiole slender, base and stipule conjointed
to form sheath. Spike terminal, with several white bracts. Emitting a
smell of fish when kneaded into pieces. Acrid in taste, slightly cold
in nature, and attributive to lung channel.
Indication
Clear away heat and toxic material: For lung abscess, cough due to lung-heat,
also for diarrhea of dampness-heat type, stranguria of heat type, etc.
Topical use in addition to oral use for atrophic rhinitis, acute and chronic
maxillary sinusitis or accessory nasal sinusitis, acute and chronic rhinitis,
chronic pyogenic otitis media. Synthetic product (decanoyl acetaldehyde)
for pelvic inflammation, chronic adnexitis, endometritis, vaginitis, pneumonia,
etc.
Pharmacological
Action
1.
Decanoy1 acetaldehyde is bacteriostatic and fungistatic.
2. Its decoction retards the progress of tuberculosis experimentally.
3. Synthetic product (compound of decanoy1 acetaldehyde and NaHSO3) promotes
white cell phagocytosis.
4. Ant-inflammation.
5. Quercitrin, an active component, is a strong diuretic, and exerts such
effect in a 1: 10,000 solution.
Administration Decoction: 15-30g. Injection: Decanoy1 acetaldehyde solution 10mg IM bid.