Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr.
Aliases：La La Teng, La La Yang, Ge Ren Teng, La Gou Dan, Wu Zhua Long
Lücao (Japanese Hop Herb), a Chinese medicinal, is the whole plant of Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr., a species of the Moraceae family. It is harvested in September to October on sunny days. The above-ground part is cut, impurities are removed, and the herb is dried in the sun. It is distributed throughout most regions of China. It grows along roadsides, in wet areas by ditches, on village fences, and in forest margins or thickets.
Efficacy & Actions
Clear Heat and resolve Toxin, promote diuresis and relieve strangury.
Indications
It is indicated for lung heat cough, lung abscess, deficiency heat with vexation and thirst, heat strangury, edema, difficult urination, damp‑heat diarrhea and dysentery, heat‑toxin sores and swellings, and skin pruritus.
Modern Pharmacology
Antiasthmatic, antitussive, and expectorant: Provides relief for respiratory system diseases. Hepatoprotective and analgesic. Antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, and anti‑diarrheal. Antitumor (anticancer). Antipruritic: Significantly inhibits itching caused by various factors. Immunosuppressive: Inhibits the activation of CD4(+) T cells. Other effects: Shows positive application potential in improving pulmonary edema, as a feed additive, and in antibacterial activity, among others.
Ingredients
Lücao (Japanese Hop Herb) contains a variety of active compounds that form the basis of its efficacy: Flavonoids: Luteolin, vitexin, etc. Volatile oils: β‑humulene, caryophyllene, etc. Unique components: Humulone, lupulone, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 10–15 g of dried herb (or 30–60 g of fresh herb) in decoction. External use: Appropriate amount. Fresh herb may be crushed and applied topically, or decocted for fumigation and washing of the affected area.
Contraindications
Lücao (Japanese Hop Herb) is cold in nature. It should be used with caution in cases of Spleen‑Stomach deficiency cold and during pregnancy. Although most sources record it as cold in nature, some references suggest that it is slightly toxic. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using it.
Selected Formulas
1. For urolithiasis (stone strangury): Take 120–150 g of fresh Lücao stems, crush them, add boiling water, and extract the juice. Drink the juice. 2. For red, swollen, and painful joints: Crush fresh Lücao, mix with white sugar (or honey), and apply topically to the affected area. 3. For skin pruritus (itching): Take an appropriate amount of fresh Lücao, decoct in water, then use the warm decoction to fumigate and wash the affected area.
Daily Consumption
1. Lücao Tea (Clearing Heat and Promoting Diuresis) Ingredients: 10–15 g of dried Lücao (or 30–60 g of fresh herb) Preparation: Wash the herb, add 500–800 ml of water, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Strain to remove the residue and retain the liquid. Usage: Drink as a tea substitute. One dose per day, taken in 2–3 divided doses, warm. Continuous use should not exceed 3–5 days. Indications: Scanty dark urine, painful strangury due to heat, mild edema, and summerheat vexation with thirst. Caution: Contraindicated in cases of Spleen‑Stomach deficiency cold and during pregnancy. 2. Lücao and Mung Bean Soup (Clearing Heat and Resolving Toxin) Ingredients: 15 g of dried Lücao, 50 g of mung beans, rock sugar to taste. Preparation: Decoct Lücao in water for 15 minutes, remove the residue and retain the liquid. Cook the mung beans in this liquid until soft, then add rock sugar to taste. Usage: Drink the soup and eat the beans. Once daily for 3 consecutive days. Indications: Summerheat prickly heat, early‑stage sores and boils, sore throat. Caution: Not suitable for those with Spleen‑Stomach deficiency cold or loose stools. 3. Lücao Congee (Clearing Lung Heat and Relieving Cough) Ingredients: 10 g of dried Lücao, 50 g of japonica rice. Preparation: Decoct Lücao in water to obtain the liquid. Cook the japonica rice with this liquid into congee. Usage: Consume warm, once daily for 3–5 consecutive days. Indications: Lung heat cough with yellow sputum and dry throat. Caution: Contraindicated in wind‑cold cough with thin white sputum. 4. Lücao External Wash (Relieving Itching and Reducing Swelling) Ingredients: 60–100 g of fresh Lücao (or 30 g of dried herb). Preparation: Decoct the herb in water for 20 minutes, then strain to obtain the liquid. Usage: When the liquid is warm, use it to wash the affected area (e.g., eczema, skin pruritus, sores and toxic swellings). Apply 2–3 times daily. Indications: Eczema, itchy rash, redness and swelling from insect bites.
Medicinal Parts
whole herb (aerial part)
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture, mold, and insects. Dried product should be kept in an airtight container to prevent moisture.