Evidence supporting the use of: Houttuynia
For the health condition: Skin Care (general)

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Synopsis

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

Houttuynia cordata, also known as "fish mint" or "chameleon plant," has a long history of use in traditional East Asian medicine, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Houttuynia is believed to clear heat and toxins, and is often used both internally and externally to treat various skin conditions, such as boils, abscesses, eczema, and dermatitis. The plant is typically applied as poultices, washes, or included in topical concoctions aimed at reducing inflammation and promoting skin healing.

There is some preliminary research indicating that Houttuynia extracts possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, which could theoretically be beneficial for skin health. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that certain compounds in Houttuynia, such as flavonoids and polysaccharides, may inhibit inflammatory mediators and reduce oxidative stress in skin cells. However, robust human clinical trials are lacking. Thus, while Houttuynia’s use in general skin care is primarily justified by tradition, some early scientific findings lend modest support to its traditional applications, but do not yet reach the threshold for strong scientific validation.

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