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Knowledge baseHerbs

Deng Xin Cao燈心草

Medulla JunciJuncus Pith

Also known asRush Pit · Bulrush Pith

Category
Herbs that drain Dampness
Nature
slightly cold
Taste
sweet, bland
Channels entered
Heart, Lung, Small Intestine
Dosage
1.5–4.5 g

Usual doses

Dosage
1.5–4.5 g
Tincture
1–2 ml

Actions & indications

Promotes urination, leaches out Dampness and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction
  • Heat Excess
  • Hot painful urinary dysfunction with dark, scanty urination
Clears Heat from the Heart channel by directing Fire downward and calms the Spirit
  • Pediatric sleep disorders with dark, scanty urine and irritability (especially at night) (can be used alone)
  • Lack of Communication between the Heart and Kidneys with insomnia and restless sleep
  • Heart Fire with Kidney Yin Deficiency
  • Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
  • Small Intestine Shi Heat
Clears Lung Heat
Sore throat (charred internally and topically relieves pain)
Cools the Blood and stops bleeding
Use charred to stop bleeding

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold.
  • Contraindicated in severely deficient individuals.
  • Contraindicated in urinary incontinence.

Combinations

  • Lin syndrome; dysuria.

  • Damp-Heat affecting the Heart, Lung and Urinary Bladder channels, producing incomplete and painful urination.

  • Edema caused by nephritis.

  • Heart Fire giving rise to insomnia, irritability and dark, painful urination.

  • Insomnia, irritability and dark, painful urination stemming from Heart Fire.

  • Difficult, scanty, burning urination linked to Heart-channel Heat transferring to the Large Intestine, Heat clumping in the Bladder, or Damp-Heat settling in the Lower Jiao.

Notes

  • It is particularly helpful for insomnia or restless sleep caused by disrupted communication between the Heart and Kidney, owing to its strong sedative effect.
  • Historically, the pith of its stem served as lamp wicks.
  • It is occasionally used to treat abdominal pain.
  • Its properties resemble those of Caulis Akebiae Mu Tong, with which it is frequently paired.
  • It is commonly given to infants and children who have restless Heat sensations in the chest, nightmares, night terrors, and dark, burning urine from Heat.
  • Dipped in oil, it can be used for cauterization.
  • Applied topically, it treats throat inflammation.
  • Deng Xin Cao and Caul. Akebiae Mu Tong both clear and drain Heart Fire, channeling Small Intestine Heat out via the urine, and are combined to treat Lin syndrome. Mu Tong, bitter and cold, is the stronger of the two — it addresses mouth and tongue ulcers and red, swollen eyes, and unblocks Qi and Blood flow to treat amenorrhea, scanty lactation or painful obstruction. Deng Xin Cao acts more gently; its effect on the Heart is directed mainly at children's night terrors from Heart Heat, and it also drains Lung Heat to relieve sore throat.
  • Deng Xin Cao and Hb. Phylostachys Zhu Ye both clear Heart Fire and promote diuresis, but Deng Xin Cao works better for Lin syndrome with burning, painful urination, whereas Zhu Ye is more effective at sedating Heart Fire for irritability and insomnia.
  • Charred Juncus Pith, known as Deng Xin Tan, cools the Blood, stops bleeding, clears Heat and inhibits sores.
  • Juncus Flower, Deng Xin Hua, is frequently used for dysuria caused by Lower Jiao Damp-Heat.

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