Evidence supporting the use of: Houttuynia
For the health condition: Eye Infections

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 is traditionally used in East Asian herbal medicine for various infections, including eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys from China, Korea, and Japan mention Houttuynia as a remedy for "red eyes" and other inflammatory eye conditions, often in the form of decoctions, washes, or topical applications. The rationale is based on its perceived "heat-clearing" and "detoxifying" properties in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). While some in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that Houttuynia extracts possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, these studies rarely focus specifically on pathogens or mechanisms relevant to eye infections. Peer-reviewed clinical trials evaluating its efficacy and safety for human eye infections are lacking. Therefore, while its use is well-established in traditional practice, scientific validation—especially through high-quality human studies—is limited. The overall evidence for Houttuynia cordata as a treatment for eye infections ranks low (2/5), relying mostly on historical and anecdotal usage rather than robust clinical data.

More about Houttuynia
More about Eye Infections

Products containing Houttuynia

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