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Houttuynia cordata - Thunb.

Tsi

Author	Thunb.	Botanical references	51, 200, 266
Family	Saururaceae	Genus	Houttuynia
Synonyms	Polypara cochinchinensis - Lour.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.
Habitat	Shrubberies and damp places to 2400 metres in the Himalayas[51]. Often found as a weed in wet fields[187].
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.6m by 1m at a fast rate.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Pond; Bog Garden;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Chameleon' Deep Shade;
'Flore Plena' Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit; Leaves; Root.

Teder young shoots and leaves - raw or cooked as a pot-herb[2, 61, 103, 183, 272]. The leaves and young shoots are harvested in the spring when about 8cm long[264]. Strongly aromatic according to one report[183] whilst others say that it is rather smelly and somewhat like rotten fish[105, 178]. Our experience is that the leaves have a delicious orange-like smell and make a marvellous flavouring in salads[K]. One report says that there are two distinct chemotypes of this species. Plants from Japan have an orange scent, whilst those from China have a smell resembling coriander leaves (Coriandrum sativum)[238]. Some people seem to really like this leaf, others are indifferent to it or strongly dislike it[K]. It also varies quite considerably according to the time of year. In the spring and summer it has a very acceptable flavour, but by autumn a distinct bitterness has crept in[K]. Root - cooked[177, 183]. Same comments on the smell as for the leaves[105]. Fruit[183]. No further details[K], but the fruit is a capsule that contains many small seeds[200].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antibacterial; Antidote; Antiinflammatory; Antiphlogistic; Antiviral; Astringent; Depurative; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; Febrifuge; Hypoglycaemic; Laxative; Ophthalmic; Women's complaints.

The whole plant is antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antimicrbial, antiphlogistic, antiviral, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, laxative and ophthalmic[103, 116, 147, 174, 176, 218, 238, 240, 279]. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of many ailments including cancer, coughs, dysentery, enteritis and fever[218]. Its use is said to strengthen the immune system[176]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of snake bites and skin disorders[238]. The leaves and stems are harvested during the growing season and used fresh in decoctions[238]. The leaf juice is antidote and astringent[218]. A root extract is diuretic[218, 240]. The root is also said to be used in medicinal preparations for certain diseases of women[240, 243]. The rhizomes yield a sterol, resembling sitosterol, which stimulates the secretion of antibiotic substances from a gram-positive spore-forming bacillus[240]. An active substance, effective in the treatment of stomach ulcers, has been extracted from the plant[240].

Other Uses

Ground cover.

A good ground cover plant[200]. Plants do not form a weed-suppressing cover[K]. A spreading plant, it should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[208].

Scented Plants

Leaves: Crushed

The bruised leaves emit a strong citrus smell rather like orange peel.

Cultivation details

Requires a moist to wet soil or shallow water, partial shade and a sheltered position[1, 31, 56, 238]. Whilst it grows best in a bog garden, it will succeed in moist garden borders[233] and has also grown fairly well in a dry soil in Cornwall[K]. It succeeds in full shade[208]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[187], the top growth is killed back by frost though the roots are much hardier. Even the roots, though, can be killed in severe winters[56]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[187]. 'Chameleon' has very attractively variegated leaves with the same flavour as the species[K]. The bruised leaves emit a strong citrus smell rather like orange peel[K]. Plants have a widely spreading root system and are very invasive, though they are easier to control in drier soils[200]. Creeps harmlessly between ferns[187]. Cultivated as a salad crop in Vietnam[103] and in W. China[187].. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Plants growing in an area with a high rabbit population were not eaten by them although other plants growing nearby were attacked[K].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[31, 56]. Very quick and easy, it can be done successfully at almost any time in the growing season[K]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivars

'Chameleon'

A very ornamental form with attractively variegated leaves[K]. These leaves have the same flavour as the species[K]. In full sun red is the dominant colour, but in shady positions the leaves lose most of their redness and become green and yellow mainly[K]. A vigorous form, though less so than the species.

'Flore Plena'

A double-flowered form, it grows very vigorously and can succeed in drier soils than most cultivars[K].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Ground cover plants., The Woodland Edge Garden.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[31] Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. 0

[51] Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984
A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.

[56] Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. 1982 ISBN 0-7158-0789-7
Deals with a wide range of plants for temperate areas (and indoor aquaria) with quite a lot of information on cultivation techniques.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[103] Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press 0 ISBN 0-19-217674-9
Very readable and well illustrated, it lists plants by families giving the basic diagnostic features and some details of plant uses.

[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[116] Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986
A small booklet packed with information.

[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press 0 ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[174] Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. 0
A good Japanese herbal.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[243] Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993
Terse details of the medicinal properties of Nepalese plants, including cultivated species and a few imported herbs.

[264] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Vegetables Macmillan Reference Books, London. 1995 ISBN 0 333 62640 0
Excellent and easily read book with good information and an excellent collection of photos of vegetables from around the world, including many unusual species.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

[272] Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.

[279] Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998 ISBN 92 9061 120 0
An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Houttuynia cordata

Ian Powell Sun Jan 30 13:06:45 2005

bruised and crushed and inserted in nose for headaches, traditionaly....really. tends to like growing under some shade in moist areas.

sell the Bio-vine: grape skin extracted resveratrol

mary Thu Jul 14 02:37:12 2005

Product Information of Bio-vine Bio-vine: Grape Skin Extracted Resveratrol Basic Info Formal Name: [trans¨C3,4',5¨CTrihydroxystilbene Molecular Formula C14H12O3 Molecular Weight 228.2 Daltons Odor : Characteristic Purity: No Less Than 98% Stability: Refrigerate. Protect from light. This product is stable for 3 years as supplied Solubility "DMSO and acetone (50 mg/mL) " Supplied as: A Off¨Cwhite solid. Packaged under an inert gas UV/Vis: ¦Ëmax: 218, 235, 307, 321 nm Laboratory Procedure For long term storage£¬we suggest that Resveratrol be supplied at-20˚C£®It will be stable for at least three year. Resveratrol is supplied as a crystalline solid.A stock solution may be made by dissolving the Resveratrol in an organic solvent purged with an inert gas.Resveratrol is soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol,DMSO,and dimethyl formamide.The solubility of Resveratrol in these solvents is at least 65mg/ml Further dilutions of the stock solution into aqueous buffers or isotonic saline should be made prior to performing biological experiments.Ensure that the residual amount of organic solvent is insignificant,since organic solvents may have physiological effects at low concentrations.Organic solvent-free aqueous solutions of Resveratrol can be prepared than 100ug/ml.We do not recommend storing the aqueous solution for more than one day. Resveratrol is a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1).¹ It inhibits cyclooxgenase and peroxidase activities of COX-¹ with ED values of 15and 3.7uM,respectively.respectively.It also has antioxidant properties. Reference Jang, M., et al. 1997. Science 275, 218. Chen, C.K., et al. 1996. Gen. Pharmacol. 27, 363

Houttuynia cordata

Mike Vowell Mon May 15 2006

One the advice of my wife, a Thai, I eat a small quantity of fresh leaves daily. This has completely cured my quite severe long term halitosis. The Thai variety definitely does not have the orange flavour, more fish like but the taste/smell does seem quite subjective. I find it not unpleasant whereas my wife can't stand it. The fresher the leaves the better tasting they are.

Houttuynia cordata

Alec Bauserman Tue Aug 29 2006

My wife is from SW China (Guizhou province) where the roots are used in traditional cooking. Definitely an acquired taste!

Houttuynia cordata

Nikolaus Prachensky Wed Jul 4 2007

Nikolaus Prachensky I have made an extract and have used it to treat herpes simplex topically and internally - seems to work very well, shorter outbreaks and accelerated healing of the wound

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