Deng Xin Cao
English Name: juncus pith, rush pith
Literal Translation: “lamp wick herb”
Pharmaceutical Name: Medulla Junci
Medica Category: Water-Regulating and Damp-Resolving Herbs
Properties: Deng Xin Cao enters the Heart, Lung, and Small Intestine channels; it is sweet and bland in nature and cool in temperature.
What is Deng Xin Cao?:
The Chinese Herb Deng Xin Cao is the dried pith of a wetland grass-like plant called juncus or common rush (Juncus offusus L. var decipiens Buchen.) that grows throughout the world in cool, temperate regions. Clumps up to about a foot high will grow in any area with wet soil (e.g. standing water, stream/river/lakesides, ditches, gullies etc…), and it is the pith (inner, soft material of the stems) of the individual rushes that is dried for use as medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Deng Xin Cao:
Deng Xin Cao promotes urination to treat lin zheng (dysuria syndrome) stemming from damp-heat accumulation (with dark, scanty urine). This herb also addressed generalized edema and edema connected with nephritis.
Deng Xin Cao enters the Heart channel to clear Heart heat and sedate fire to address insomnia, irritability, and infantile crying at night.
Deng Xin Cao (charred form) clears heat to treat sore throat either internally or topically (i.e. directly to the mucous membranes of the throat by blowing the powder through a straw.
Deng Xin Cao (charred form) cools the blood and stops bleeding.
**safety note: Use of Deng Xin Cao is contraindicated in cases of urinary incontinence as well as in cases with deficiency and cold in the middle jiao.