Herbal Textual Research on Houttuyniae Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20241169
- VernacularTitle:经典名方中鱼腥草的本草考证
- Author:
Dan ZHAO
1
;
Changgui YANG
1
;
Chuanzhi KANG
2
;
Chenghong XIAO
1
;
Zhikun WU
1
;
Hongliang MA
3
;
Jiwen WANG
3
;
Xiufu WAN
2
;
Sheng WANG
2
;
Zhilai ZHAN
2
Author Information
1. Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Guiyang 550025，China
2. Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs，National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing 100700，China
3. Zhongshan Zhongzhi Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.，Zhongshan 528437，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
famous classical formulas;
Houttuyniae Herba;
origin;
scientific name;
medicinal parts;
processing;
clinical application;
herbal textual research
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(8):250-259
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， medicinal parts， origin， harvesting， processing and other aspects of Houttuyniae Herba（HH） by referring to the medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the research materials related to modern and contemporary times， in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this herb. In ancient literature， HH was often referred to as "Ji" and "Jicai"， the name of "Ji" was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu during the Han and Wei dynasties， and the name of Yuxingcao was first seen in Lyuchanyan Bencao during the southern Song dynasty and has continued to this day. The origin of HH used throughout history is consistent， all of which are the whole herb or aboveground parts of Houttuynia cordata in Saururaceae family. HH recorded throughout history has a wide range of production areas， mostly self-produced self-marketing. In ancient times， fresh HH was often used as medicine by pounding its juice without involving any processing steps. Both fresh and dried products can be used as medicine， the fresh products uses the whole plant， while the dried products uses the aboveground parts， which are cleaned， selected and processed before use. Fresh products are harvested regardless of season， while dried products are harvested in both summer and autumn， with summer as the best. In ancient times， there were no specific requirements for the quality of HH， while in modern times， "intact stems and leaves with a strong fishy smell" are preferred. In addition， the medicinal properties of HH have undergone significant changes from ancient to modern times. In the early period， it was believed that its medicinal property was slightly warm， until the 1977 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia officially changed it to slightly cold. Both ancient and modern literature states that HH can be used for the treatment of carbuncle and malignant sores， Lyuchanyan Bencao for the first time introduced HH fresh juice can relieve summer heat， since Diannan Bencao recorded that it can be used for lung carbuncle， and gradually developed into the first choice for the treatment of lung carbuncle. Based on the research results， it is suggested that fresh herb or dried aboveground parts of H. cordata are used as medicine when developing famous classical formulas.
