Traditional · Kampo botanicals

Dokudami (Houttuynia Cordata)

ドクダミ (Dokudami)

Also known as: Jūyaku (十薬), Houttuynia cordata, Fishmint

8Japanese suppliers ready to quoteView on the Sourcing platform

At a glance

CategoryTraditional
INCI nameHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Common Japanese notationsドクダミ, 十薬, ジュウヤク
OriginPlant-derived (whole herb of Houttuynia cordata)
Typical functionsAnti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Skin-soothing
Regulatory status in JapanCosmetic ingredient. Jūyaku is a Japanese Pharmacopoeia entry for kampo use.

Dokudami is a traditional East Asian medicinal herb known in Japan as the Pharmacopoeia entry jūyaku (十薬, 'ten medicines'). With rapid growth in K-Beauty demand for Houttuynia cordata-based skincare, Japan's domestic producers in Tochigi and Shiga are well-positioned to serve this cross-border demand.

Find OEM manufacturers

Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Cosmetic extracts
  • Detox-positioned teas
  • Traditional kampo preparations

Ingredient profile

Houttuynia cordata is a perennial herb in the Saururaceae family. Key compounds include quercitrin, hyperoside, rutin, and characteristic decanoyl acetaldehyde volatiles (responsible for the plant's distinctive scent).

Commercial forms include dried herb, powdered whole-plant material, aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts, and fresh-leaf sprays (e.g., Dokudamīru). Peak harvest occurs in June.

OEM applications

Cosmetics: soothing skincare (K-Beauty category drivers), scalp care, mask essences.

Detox-positioned herbal teas and kampo preparations.

Dietary supplements marketed for antioxidant or gut-health positioning.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Cosmetic ingredient. Pharmacopoeia entry as jūyaku — used in kampo formulations.

Traditional tea and dietary supplement use under general food safety rules.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUCosIng-listed for cosmetic use.
USAAcceptable for cosmetics under MoCRA.
KoreaMajor K-Beauty ingredient; KFDA-compliant Japanese suppliers may target Korean cosmetic brands.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after verification. Japanese domestic cultivation in Tochigi and Shiga supports traceable, pesticide-controlled raw materials.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Dokudami (Houttuynia Cordata)?
Dokudami is a traditional East Asian medicinal herb known in Japan as the Pharmacopoeia entry jūyaku (十薬, 'ten medicines'). With rapid growth in K-Beauty demand for Houttuynia cordata-based skincare, Japan's domestic producers in Tochigi and Shiga are well-positioned to serve this cross-border demand.
What is the regulatory status of Dokudami (Houttuynia Cordata) in Japan?
Cosmetic ingredient. Jūyaku is a Japanese Pharmacopoeia entry for kampo use.
What products typically use Dokudami (Houttuynia Cordata)?
Cosmetic extracts / Detox-positioned teas / Traditional kampo preparations
Where does Dokudami (Houttuynia Cordata) come from?
Plant-derived (whole herb of Houttuynia cordata)
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Dokudami (Houttuynia Cordata)?
INCI: Houttuynia Cordata Extract

FAQ for OEM buyers

Q. What is dokudami and what is its pharmacopoeia status in Japan?

Dokudami (Houttuynia cordata) is a perennial herb in the Saururaceae family used in East Asian traditional medicine. The dried aerial parts are listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia as the crude drug Juyaku (十薬, literally 'ten medicines'), used in kampo formulations.

Q. What are the characteristic constituents of Houttuynia cordata?

Houttuynia cordata contains flavonoids (quercitrin, hyperoside, rutin) and characteristic decanoyl acetaldehyde-class volatiles, which are responsible for the plant's distinctive aroma.

Sources

  • Source data — glossary_context.whatItIs

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Q. How is dokudami labelled on cosmetics in Japan vs. the EU?

On Japanese cosmetic labels the ingredient is typically declared using the JSCI dictionary entry for the Houttuynia cordata extract preparation. In the EU and globally the INCI name is Houttuynia Cordata Extract, listed in the European Commission's CosIng database.

Q. Is dokudami acceptable for use in cosmetics in the United States?

Houttuynia cordata-derived ingredients are acceptable for cosmetic use in the United States under MoCRA (Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022), subject to standard responsible-person registration and product-listing obligations.

Use cases

  • Soothing facial essence / serum

    Positioning
    K-Beauty inspired soothing skincare with Houttuynia cordata as a hero plant active
    Formulation notes
    Aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extract is typically incorporated at 0.1-5% in toners, essences, and ampoules; pair with panthenol or centella for soothing complexes.

    Sources

    • Source data — glossary_context.typicalUses

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Scalp-care lotion / shampoo

    Positioning
    Plant-derived scalp-soothing positioning leveraging the herb's traditional anti-inflammatory association

    Sources

    • Source data — glossary_context.typicalUses

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Detox-positioned herbal tea

    Positioning
    Single-herb or blended tea referencing the kampo Juyaku tradition
  • Sheet mask essence

    Positioning
    K-Beauty crossover skincare positioned around redness-soothing and barrier comfort

    Sources

    • Source data — glossary_context.typicalUses

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Search the academic literature

Pre-filled queries for the major research databases. Opens in a new tab.

Official regulatory databases

External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.

References

  1. Japanese Pharmacopoeia entry for jūyaku
  2. JSCI labeling name database

Last updated: 2026-04-23. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

Explore more Japan-market resources

Related tools for overseas buyers, formulators, and sourcing teams.