Houttuynia cordata, the Chameleon or Lizard Plant, is named for Maarten (Martinus) Houttuyn (1720–98), the Dutch naturalist and physician from Hoorn, Netherlands. His 37-volume work Natuurlyke historie (1761–85) demonstrated an encyclopaedic knowledge of natural history. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr Willem Houttuyn, and qualified at Leiden in 1749. From 1757–65, Houttuyn translated foreign medical papers published in the 10-volume Uitgezogte verhandelingen (‘Selected papers’). He spoke many languages, but preferred speaking in Latin with foreigners. His other publications are numerous and it is unlikely that he found time to practise as a doctor. His ‘cabinet of curiosities’, the zoological specimens, was auctioned in 1787 and the botanical specimens in 1789.

This hardy, perennial member of the Saururaceae family is native to moist woodlands and marshy areas from the east Himalayas to Japan. It prefers to grow in rich, damp soil in sun or partial shade. At the Medicinal Garden we grow its cultivars in pots on a sunny terrace. It has aromatic heart-shaped leaves and small white flowers. Stock can be easily increased by dividing clumps in spring (Clare Beacham)

Houttuynia cordata. Dokudami/十薬（Ten Medicine） The dried stems and leaves of Houttuynia cordata are also important as medicines and are called Ten Medicine or Pile Medicine (both pronounced jyuyaku). There is also a theory that the term "heavy medicine" is used because it is an important medicine. It is a perennial plant widely distributed in East Asia, and in Japan it grows wild in slightly moist soil from Honshu to Okinawa. The whole plant has a unique odour. It produces a spike with four petal-like white bracts at the base, and many small yellow flowers. It is an important medicine with 10 different effects, and the dried aboveground part during the flowering period is called "Juyaku" or "Ten Medicine". It has extremely strong antibacterial properties against staphylococcus bacteria that cause acne, boils, and other skin irritations. It is used as an antipyretic, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and intestinal regulator, and as a decoction for suppuration and fetal poisoning, and as a tea for diuresis, bowel movement, and prevention of high blood pressure. Houttuynia liquor made from raw leaves has a tonic and aphrodisiac properties. Yutaka Sashida (Doctor of Pharmacy), Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

Houttuynia cordata is used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and in Japan as a tonic tea, dokudamicha, and for chronic earache. The plant we grow at the Medicinal Garden is the cultivar ‘Boo-Boo’ with multicoloured leaves, a variant of the wild form whose leaves are just green.

The following notes on folk remedies of Houttuynia cordata were given to us by Japanese herbalist Nobue Kishi in the summer of 2024. When it comes to Houttuynia cordata, fresh leaves are often used externally and dried leaves are taken internally. Fresh leaves When taking a bath, put fresh leaves in a small bag and use it as a bath additive. Make something like a towel and use it to cleanse the skin when you sweat (Japanese summer are humid, so sweat sticks to the skin and sometimes causes skin problems). Most problems are solved in one go. My niece, who has atopic dermatitis, used this method a lot when she was a child, and now that she's an adult, her skin is beautiful. I think peach leaves have a similar effect. Herbal tea The stems and leaves grow rapidly from May to July, so harvest them when they reach a certain point (if you don't remove them, the garden will be taken over by Houttuynia cordata). Dry the leaves for about a week, then store them in a frying pan (it is said that iron should be avoided) or in a roasting jar, and drink as needed as herbal tea. I use it to regulate the intestines and prevent constipation. Tincture: Pick just the inflorescences, soak them in alcohol, and make a tincture. I use it to treat insect（mosquito） bites. ↑I soak it in alcohol for about a month and then put it in a roll-on bottle or something similar before using it.