Heartleaf Houttuynia Herb

The whole herb contains volatile oil, whose major constituents are decanoyl acetaldehyde, lauraldehyde, myrcene, and others. It also contains quercetin, quercitrin, chlorogenic acid, potassium chloride, linoleic acid, and other constituents.

The decoction of this product inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, pneumococci, tubercle bacilli, dysentery bacilli, and Leptospira; it also has a preventive effect in virus-infected mice. It can markedly enhance the phagocytic activity of leukocytes and macrophages and has anti-inflammatory effects. Quercitrin has a diuretic effect. The volatile oil of Houttuynia has marked antitussive and antiasthmatic effects.

Avoid use in deficiency-cold syndromes and yin-type external sores. Houttuynia should not be decocted for a long time.