Houttuynia

Description

Inoculation Solutions™ Discussion: 

 Houttuynia is an herb that has grown in popularity over the past few years, being as it came highly recommended by many Lyme Disease advocates. It is known in TCM as “Yu xing cao”, “fishy-smell herb”. In the Western world and commonly in herbalism it is also known as the chameleon plant, lizard tail, fishwort, heartleaf, and fishmint. Its taste is known for its bitterness.

Houttuynia is said to be interchangeable for cilantro, which seems to be very popular as well these days. It is a close relative of the herb yerba mansa, which was once called “houttuynia californica”, as they favor the same terrain, similar medicinal benefits and actions, and have flowers that look alike. It is considered to be one of the most invasive plants that exist, similar to the spreading of Japanese knotweed. If even a piece of the stem drops on the ground, it is capable of growing a new plant. Although, unlike knotweed, this plant is very low to the ground. It is considered to be an invasive in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Florida, which means these would be excellent places to keep your eyes out for it growing in the wild!

Until houttuynia was advocated by Dr. Stephen Buhner, it was not commonly known, nor understood by most herbalists. It comes highly suggested by Dr. Buhner as a part of his mycoplasma protocol, due to its assistance with many of the symptoms that are associated with this infection. Houttuynia is specific for support with complaints of the intestinal tract, respiratory system, mycoplasma infections, lungs, abscesses of the lungs, urinary organs, genital infections, bacterial-related diarrhea, eye issues, skin blemishes and boils, and generally anything that comes with a foul-smelling discharge. (1) It specializes in the promotion of pus drainage. It is used in Japan, where it is considered to be supportive for general detoxification of the blood, in turn increasing overall health of the body. (2) Another main use by others is for the lungs, clearing heat, and spleen support. It may be an excellent choice to support any type of stagnation within the body.

Houttuynia is considered to be most potent as an antiviral, inhibiting viral replication, interference of the viral envelope, and inhibiting virion release from cells. (2) Other actions that it may exhibit are: analgesic, anti-parasitic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitussive, astringent, diuretic, hemostatic, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, larvicidal, and laxative. (2)

To only touch base on some of the pathogens it shows activity against, yet not limited to: Influenza virus, H1N1 strains, SARS-related coronavirus, dengue virus, avian infectious bronchitis virus, enterovirus, herpes simples virus 2, HIV-1, herpes simplex virus 2, cytomegalovirus, Aspergillus spp., Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Leptospira spp., Mycoplasma hominis (30 strains), Salmonella enterica, 4 species of Shigella, Staphylococcus albus and 21 aureus strains (although not the biofilms they produce), and Streptococcus hemolyticus. (2)

Houttuynia is a potent antibacterial and antiviral. Its constituents cross the blood/brain barrier very quickly. We are told in Buhner’s books that the half-life of absorption rate was 3.5 hours after ingestion. (1) Compounds were found to be most concentrated in the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, and serum, in that same specific order. (1) We mainly think of the body excreting toxins through urine and bowel movements, yet houttuynia seemed to use the lungs to release them by breathing. (1) It was found to remain in the tissues of rats for up to 48 hours. (1)

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) it is used for its cooling actions, which makes it ideal for lung meridians and liver heat. (1) Many studies have been done in China, mainly on injections of the herb. In the United States, as of 2015, there were few to no studies on houttuynia. However, it showed very promising results when studied in rats, resulting in restoring and protecting white blood cell counts, normalizing the connective tissue regrowth factor, and showing activity for induced diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, and showed improvement in the lungs of the rats. (1) When houttuynia was added to chicken food, it also showed exciting results, especially when they were challenged by Salmonella. Lastly, a study on cows given houttuynin, 88% were “cured” and 53% showed microbiological clearance. (2) Likewise, the cows treated with penicillin/streptomycin, the rates were 90% and 55%. (2)

Many with MACS (Mast Activation Cell Syndrome) may find it very interesting that a cold water extraction is known to increase IL-2 and IL-10 cytokines. (1) IL-10 is known as a cytokine inhibitor that acts like an anti-inflammatory by downregulating, reducing, and blocking other cytokines. (1) It specializes in counteracting mast cell allergy reactions, which is how and why it is used and effective by using it on snake and insect bites. (1) Houttuynia also stimulates CD4+ lymphocyte production, inhibiting topoisomerase activity, and is very active in the spleen meridian. (1) It is also reported to reduce nitric oxide levels, inhibit hydrogen peroxide impacts on the cells, and inhibits lipid peroxidation by up to 80%. (3)

While the fresh leaf extract is considered to be the most potent, using many parts of the herb seem to have a synergy that a single part does not exhibit. There are many potent constituents specific to houttuynia, which are named after it. It contains Houttuynoside A, houttuynoids A-E, and houttuynin. (2) It also contains compounds well-known, such as 2 quercetin variations, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, linalool, camphene, myrcene, limonene, stearic acid, linoleic acid, myrcene, eucalyptol, verbenol, camphor, and hundreds of others. (2)

Dr. Buhner extensively wrote about houttuynia and there is more information than we can relate to you. We suggest that you take a look at the references on this page to see which books discuss this herb, to obtain them for yourself! We should mention here that we also add fresh houttuynia leaf to our eye formula Sensory~Ease™, as well as our ear rinse, Auditory Solutions™! It is also a main component of our Sensitivity~Ease™ formula for supporting mast cells and sensitivities, as well as our Immunity~Ease™, which supports immunity. Lastly, it is also used to detox nitric oxide with our NitricOx~Ease™ formula and to help fight mycoplasma pathogens with our Mycoplas~Ease™ blend.

We make our liquid products with the fresh leaf, with a bit of the root. Dr. Buhner tells us that the leaf and root exhibit a synergy that has been validated in case studies. He also tells us that the fresh leaf is the most potent way to use this herb. In Japan, it is most used as a tea, although we are told to only briefly boil the herb, to avoid losing constituents. As far as the possible side effects, Dr. Buhner jokes about fishy breath, there are none recorded except for the anaphylactic reactions from injections. However, he mentions that pregnant women should not use houttuynia.

Product Variations:

We offer most every herb in multiple variations. such as a standard tincture, oxygenated tincture, glycerite, herbal tea, encapsulated, or as a loose powder. We highly recommend getting at least two variations of the preferred blend, to achieve saturation.

Standard Tincture – Herbal compounds extracted in an organic alcohol base. Alcohol may offer the most superior absorption rate and bioavailability. We recommend allowing your dose to sit under the tongue for 3+ minutes, then swallowing it down with water or juice.  Microscopic compounds are readily available to be absorbed through tissues, into the bloodstream, then circulated to the organs.

Oxygenated Tincture – This is a standard tincture that has been oxygenated. This is a process of adding an oxygen molecule to the present herbal compound. We collide the herbal compound with an oxygen molecule, encasing them within a bubble, known as a liposome. The difference can be clearly seen by the change in color. The lipospheres’ may have the capability to surpass the bioavailability of a standard tincture, although exhibiting the existing benefits.

Glycerite – A non-alcoholic extraction of herbal compounds in a vegetable glycerin base. This variation is ideal for children and those sensitive. I don’t contain sugar, even though its taste resembles syrup. Doses are approximately 2 times more than a tincture to receive similar benefits. They can be taken in the same way, which is in 4 oz. of water or juice.

Vegetarian Capsules – Size 00, vegetarian capsules. We hand-encapsulated, to order. The capsule is taken with 4 oz. of water or juice. Capsules are a great secondary product to achieve saturation of the body, along with another variation.

Herbal Tea – Teabags are handmade to order. Every bag can be brewed up to three times, making three cups of lovely tea each. Constituents will be continually extracted with each brew. Be sure to squeeze the bag gently upon finishing your cup of tea. Brewing instructions are included on individual labels, depending on the parts of the plant used. It may be best to drink it as is, without adding a sugar substitute. Be sure to also drink the medicinal residue that settles to the bottom of the cup!

Loose Herbal Powder – We take pride in the freshness and quality of our herbs. They are hand-ground, to order, as they are wildcrafted by us or responsibly purchased in whole form. We feel that ethically wildcrafted is superior, ensuring denser content of medicinal compounds, freshness, higher enzymatic activity, and antioxidant content. Wildcrafting also allows us to include multiple parts of the plant, even some that are only offered by us. We always indicate wildcrafted with the abbreviation “WC”. 

All variations are animal & child-safe, at the appropriate dosage but it is up to you to do your own research to know if the herbs themselves are safe for the babes. We have created a child’s herbal dosage guide, which can be seen by Clicking Here. 

Always use herbs wisely and with common sense, as they are to be respected. Most of our herbs and products have been tested by an energetic practitioner, using a bio resonance scanning system. Results revealed that our products to be up to 360% more powerful than others, including the brand names. Our customers choose us because we create products that emanate unique healing energy, intended for you.

Happy Cleansing! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

1. Buner, S. (2015). Natural Treatments For Lyme Coinfections: Anaplasma, Babesia, and Ehrlichia. Rochester, VT. Healing Arts Press.
2. Buner, S. (2013). Herbal Antivirals “Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections”. North Adams, MA. Storey Publishing.
3. Buner, S. (2013). Healing Lyme Disease Coinfections “Complimentary and Holistic Treatments for Bartonella and Mycoplasma”. Rochester, VT. Healing Arts Press.