Witnessed by: TCM
Soft rush (Juncus effusus), of the Juncaceae family. Tufted perennial with cylindrical green stems of wet ground; native range: wet ground, marshes, and paddy edges worldwide, abundant in China. Globally recognized as deng xin cao (灯心草) in Chinese, and rush pith, lamp-wick rush in English. The part used is stem pith. Light spongy white pith, weightless and nearly tasteless, faintly sweet and bland.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
SOFT RUSH
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- soft rush
- Scientific name
- Juncus effusus L.
- Family
- Juncaceae
Form
- Part used
- stem pith
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet · bland
Temperature
- TCM
- cool (slightly cold)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Lung · Small Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- promotes urination, drains heat through the Small Intestine, clears the Heart, relieves restlessness
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in cold from deficiency and in incontinence
- Toxicity
- none significant at customary dose
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