Photos of Houttuynia cordata, Houttuynia, Chameleon plant, Ji Cai, Yu Xiang Cao.

Houttuynia cordata, Houttuynia, Chameleon plant, Ji Cai, Yu Xiang Cao is a member of the lizard tail family (Saururaceae) with a unique fragrance. The Chinese name, yu-xing-cao, means "fish-smell herb," In Japan the plant is called "dokudami," which means detoxicant. A local Japanese name for the leaf, "kaeruppa," meaning frog leaf, refers to a belief that a half dead frog can be resuscitated by eating the leaf. Experimentally, the herb has a diuretic action, strengthens capillary walls, is antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral, plus lowers blood pressure.

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