Evidence supporting the use of: Houttuynia
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Houttuynia cordata, commonly known as fish mint, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems across East and Southeast Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is valued for its purported "heat-clearing" and detoxifying properties, and is often used as a remedy for infections, respiratory tract conditions, and inflammatory disorders. The plant is sometimes referred to as an "herbal antibiotic" in folk practices, with decoctions or extracts employed for ailments thought to be caused by pathogenic microorganisms.

Scientific investigation into Houttuynia's antimicrobial properties is limited but growing. In vitro studies have demonstrated that extracts of Houttuynia cordata may exhibit modest inhibitory effects against certain bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and viruses, including some strains of influenza and herpes simplex virus. The proposed active constituents include flavonoids, alkaloids, and volatile oils, which may contribute to these effects. However, the clinical relevance of these findings remains unclear, as robust human trials are lacking and the effects are generally weaker compared to conventional antibiotics.

In summary, the use of Houttuynia as an alternative to antibiotics is primarily justified by traditional practices rather than strong scientific evidence. While laboratory studies provide some support for its antimicrobial potential, there is currently insufficient high-quality clinical data to recommend it as a substitute or adjunct to standard antibiotic therapy.

More about Houttuynia
More about Antibiotics (alternatives to)

Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)

10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
2'-Fucosyllactose
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Acemannan
Ajoene
Alantolactone
Alchornea
Algae
Algal protein
Allicin
Alliin
Allyl sulfide
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Asteraceae
astragalus
aucubin
azelaic acid
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
benzyl isothiocyanate
berberine
betulinic acid
Bidens pilosa
black cumin
black walnut
Blue-Green Alage
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Brazilian peppertree
Brevibacillus laterosporus
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
Calotropis gigantea
capric acid
caprylic acid
carvacrol
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
chalcone
Chinese raisintree
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamic acid
citral
Clerodendrum indicum
Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut oil
colostrum
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
Embelia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eugenol
European Elder
flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
gallic acid
garlic
garlic bulb
geranium
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
golden shower tree
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
Guava
heal-all
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
honey
honeysuckle
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
Isatis
isoquinoline alkaloids
Kefir
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lantana camara
lauric acid
Lauric arginate
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptospermum scoparium
lichen
Litsea
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Mastic gum
melaleuca alternifolia
Monolaurin
Morinda
Mushroom
Myrrh
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Neem tree
Nigella seed
Nimbidin
Nisin
Oleuropein
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
oyster mushroom
paederia foetida
Paenibacillus polymyxa
pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
pau d'arco
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
phlorotannins
Phycocyanin
Physalis angulata
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Platycodon
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pleurotus eryngii
polylysine
polysaccharides
Premna
Propolis
red alder
red root
rhizome
Rhus coriaria
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
sage
saponins
Sarcandra glabra
Self-Heal
Sesbania
shiitake mushroom
Sicklepod
Simaruba
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Streptomyces fradiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Annie
Tagetes
Tamaricaceae
Tannins
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymol
Thymoquinone
Trametes
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
vitamin C
Wasabi
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Zinc

Products containing Houttuynia

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.