Medulla Junci Effusi Rush Pith, Juncus
Also known as Deng Cao, Deng Xin
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Slightly Cold
- Nature & Flavour
- Sweet, Bland, Slightly Cold
- Channels Entered
- HT, LU, SI
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Medulla Junci Effusi
- Chinese
- 灯心草
- Tone Marks
- dēng xīn căo
- Also Known As
- 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 Dosage
- 1.5–2.5 grams in decoction 12
- 1.5-4.5 grams in decoction 13
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
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- None Noted
Herb-Drug Interactions
- None Noted
Western / Biomedical Research
Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research
Provided as research context — a summary of published biomedical study, not a therapeutic or medical claim.
- 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.
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.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
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