Deng Xin Cao (灯心草) is the pith of the rush, recorded as Medulla Junci. It is sweet and bland in flavour, slightly cold, and enters the Heart, Lung and Small Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that drain Dampness.

Pinyin

deng xin cao

Chinese

灯心草·燈芯草

Latin Name

Medulla Junci

English Name

juncus·Juncus Pith

Japanese

tosh inso

Korean

deungsimcho

Actions and indications

Promotes urination, leaches out Damp and relieves painful urinary dysfunction

Excess Heat
Hot, painful, dribbling urination with dark, scanty urine, usually from Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao

Clears Heart Heat, leads Fire downward and calms the Spirit

Poor sleep in children (night crying, night terrors, restless sleep) with irritability that is worse at night and dark, scanty urine; it can be used on its own
Heart and Kidneys failing to communicate, with insomnia and restless sleep
Kidney Yin deficiency with Heart Fire
Yin deficiency of the Heart and Kidneys
Excess (Shi) Heat in the Small Intestine

Clears Lung Heat

Sore throat from Lung Heat; the charred herb eases the pain, taken internally or applied topically

Cools the Blood and stops bleeding

Bleeding from Heat, using the charred herb; unprocessed, it drains water and clears Heat instead

Combinations

dan zhu ye + che qian cao

Lin syndrome. Dysuria.

hua shi

Painful urination that does not empty fully, from Damp-Heat in the Heart, Lung and Bladder channels

che qian cao + bai mao gen

Edema due to nephritis.

suan zao ren + fu ling + zhu sha + fu shen

Heart Fire with sleeplessness, irritability, and urine that is dark and painful to pass

dan zhu ye + zhu sha

Insomnia, irritability and painful passing of dark urine due to Heart Fire

mu tong

Urination that is scanty, difficult and burning, where Heart channel Heat has moved to the Large Intestine, Heat has knotted in the Bladder, or Damp-Heat has settled in the Lower Jiao

suan zao ren + fu shen + fu xiao mai

Infantile night crying.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 1.5-4.5g; Tincture: 1-2ml

1.5-4.5 g

—

1-2 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication Deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach, as a cold, draining herb weakens such digestion further

contraindication Severe deficiency

contraindication Urinary incontinence, where promoting urination works in the wrong direction

contraindication Fluids already depleted by heavy sweating, dehydration or significant Yin deficiency

paediatric Although long used for children, it should be given to them by a qualified practitioner, not at home; a child who keeps crying at night or sleeping badly needs to be assessed

caution Burning or painful urination may mean a urinary tract infection, which needs medical attention

deng xin cao

About deng xin cao

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Promotes urination, leaches out Damp and relieves painful urinary dysfunction

Clears Heart Heat, leads Fire downward and calms the Spirit

Clears Lung Heat

Cools the Blood and stops bleeding

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

About deng xin cao

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Promotes urination, leaches out Damp and relieves painful urinary dysfunction

Clears Heart Heat, leads Fire downward and calms the Spirit

Clears Lung Heat

Cools the Blood and stops bleeding

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

Related

Used in 3 formulas