Dried Houttuynia Herb Yu Xing Cao Fish Mint Whole Herb 1kg Traditional Chinese Herbal Tea and Culinary Use

Dried Houttuynia Herb, known in TCM as Yu Xing Cao (鱼腥草) and also called Zhe Er Gen (折耳根), from Houttuynia cordata. These dried aerial parts of the fish mint plant are a classic Chinese herbal material with a long history in traditional wellness practice. In TCM theory it is traditionally associated with clearing heat and supporting the lung channel. Commonly prepared as herbal tea, decoction, or added to culinary dishes. This product is a raw agricultural food item and is not intended to replace medicine.

Key Selling Points

• Authentic dried Houttuynia cordata aerial herb known as Yu Xing Cao in TCM
• Sourced from Hubei province and sold as a raw edible agricultural product
• Traditionally associated with clearing heat in classical Chinese herbal practice
• Whole dried herb form suitable for tea, decoction, and culinary preparation
• Generous 1kg bulk pack with 24-month shelf life when stored properly

Quality & Sensory

The dried herb typically appears in segmented stems and leaves with a greenish to brownish tone and a dry, brittle texture. It carries a distinctive fishy, earthy aroma characteristic of the species. When brewed or decocted, the liquid typically develops a mild herbal taste with a slightly fishy undertone.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Brew as a simple herbal tea by steeping the dried herb in hot water
• Simmer into a traditional decoction with other compatible herbs
• Add to soups or broths as a culinary herb in regional Chinese cooking
• Use in seasonal wellness preparations during warm months

Traditional Uses

In traditional Chinese practice, Yu Xing Cao has long been valued for its association with clearing heat and resolving dampness, and it is traditionally linked to the lung channel. Folk use includes preparing it as a cooling herbal tea in summer, simmering it in decoctions, or cooking the fresh herb as a vegetable in southwestern Chinese cuisine. It is often paired with other heat-clearing herbs in traditional formulas.

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