Gu Jing Cao谷经草

Flos EriocauliPipewort Scapus and Inflorescence

Also known asBuerger Pipewort Flower

Category: Herbs that Clear Heat and Drain Fire; Herbs that Clear Heat in the *Qi* Stage
Nature: neutral
Taste: sweet
Channels entered: Liver, Stomach
Dosage: 4.5–15 g

Usual doses

Disperses Wind-Heat in the Liver channel, brightens the eyes and eliminates superficial visual obstruction: Wind-Heat Entering the Liver channel with red, swollen eyes, spots before the eyes, cataracts, photosensitivity, hazy vision, excessive tearing or pterygium
Wind-Heat headache, toothache or throat Bi

- Jing Jie
- Ju Hua
Pterygium, blurred vision, and itchy skin caused by Wind-Damp-Heat
- Long Dan Cao
- Chi Shao
Red eyes, pterygium, headache, and toothache arising from Liver Fire
Red eyes

This herb disperses Wind-Heat affecting the eyes and head.
It is particularly effective at dispersing Wind-Heat, brightening vision, and reducing superficial visual obstruction.
It is frequently used for eye disorders caused by Wind-Heat or Liver Heat.
It has a mild effect on digestion.
Gu Jing Cao and Hb. Equiseti Hiemalis Mu Zei both dredge and disperse Wind-Heat, reducing superficial visual obstruction and improving vision. Gu Jing Cao is more effective for superficial visual obstruction, while Mu Zei is stronger at eliminating Wind-Heat and has a diaphoretic action, making it preferable for eye disorders involving external pathogens.
Gu Jing Cao and Flos Buddlejae Mi Meng Hua both expel Wind, cool Heat, benefit the eyes, and reduce superficial visual obstruction, and are frequently combined for eye disorders. Gu Jing Cao, acrid, sweet, and cool, enters the Liver and Stomach channels, making it useful for eye problems as well as headache and toothache from Wind. Mi Meng Hua, sweet and cold, also enters the Liver channel, though its rising and dispersing action is milder than Gu Jing Cao's. It excels at simultaneously cooling Liver Heat, tonifying Liver Blood, and moistening Liver Dryness, and can be used for eye problems of all types.