Deng Xin Cao (Rush Pith, Juncus)

Herb 8 of 28 in Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness

Channels:

HT, LU, SI

Properties:

Sweet, Bland, Slightly Cold

Latin:

Medulla Junci Effusi

Chinese:

灯心草

Tone Marks:

dēng xīn căo

Alt Names:

Deng Cao, Deng Xin

Translation:

Lamp Wick Herb

Chinese Herb Actions

• Promotes Urination and Treats Dysuria (Lin Zheng)
  It is a mild diuretic mainly used for hot painful dribbling disorders or in cases with dark scanty urine usually due to damp heat in the lower jiao.
• Clears Heart Heat and Drains Fire
  Mostly used for childhood nightmares and sleep disorders and infantile crying. Also for insomnia and restless sleep in adults due to excess heart fire with kidney yin deficiency (Heart and Kidneys not communicating).
• Clears Lung Heat
  For sore throat due to heat in the Lung
• Cools Blood and Stops Bleeding
  For bleeding and sores due to heat in the blood

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Do not use if there is cold or deficiency in the Middle Jiao
• Do not use in cases of urinary incontinence

Herb-Drug Interactions

• None Noted

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• None Noted
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Chinese Herb Dosage

• 1.5–2.5 grams in decoction ¹²
• 1.5-4.5 grams in decoction ¹³

Chinese Herb Notes

• If charred this herb will cool blood and stop bleeding but if left unprocessed it will regulated water flow and clear heat.
• This herb is better for dysuria with burning pain than Zhu Ye but less effective for irritability and insomnia in adults.
• It does not clear small intestine heat thru the urine as effectively as Mu Tong. Mu Tong is bitter and cold while Deng Xin Cao is slightly cold, sweet and bland.

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

• In a study of 30 cases with chronic nephritis 16 showed complete recovery, 8 had significant improvement, 2 showed slight improvement and 4 had no response. Patients took a decoction of Deng Xin Cao (60grams), and tofu (300 grams) once daily for 30 days.
  Fu Zhou Yi Yao, 1983;(3):30.
• Synthesis and antialgal activity of dihydrophenanthrenes and phenanthrenes II: mimics of naturally occurring compounds in Juncus effusus.
  J Chem Ecol. 2001 Feb;27(2):257-71.
• Antimicrobial DNA-binding photosensitizers from the common rush, Juncus effusus.
  Photochem Photobiol. 2002 Jul;76(1):51-6.

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Ba Zheng San (Eight Herb Powder for Rectification)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat
• Ding Xian Wan (Arrest Seizures Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Transform Phlegm and Extinguish Wind