Rush Pith Chinese Herb
Rush Pith (Deng Xin Cao): A Cooling Herb for Urination, Heart Fire, and Childhood Restlessness
Introduction
Rush pith, known as Deng Xin Cao (灯心草) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a cool, bland herb valued for promoting urination, clearing heat, and guiding Heart fire downward. It is especially useful for urinary discomfort, irritability, insomnia, and pediatric restlessness. Its light and delicate nature makes it effective at draining heat without damaging yin or qi.
What Is Rush Pith?
Deng Xin Cao is the dried pith of Juncus effusus (soft rush). In TCM, it is classified as sweet, bland, and slightly cold, entering the Heart, Lung, and Small Intestine meridians. It is prized for its ability to clear Heart fire through the Small Intestine and to open the orifices by guiding heat downward.
Health Benefits of Rush Pith
Promotes urination and clears damp-heat – Helpful for painful, difficult, or scanty urination due to damp-heat in the urinary tract.
Clears Heart fire and calms irritability – Used for restlessness, insomnia, and agitation caused by excess Heart heat.
Treats pediatric night crying and restlessness – Often prescribed in children’s formulas to soothe heat-induced irritability.
Unblocks channels and guides heat downward – Supports communication between the Heart and Small Intestine to relieve heat symptoms.
How to Use Rush Pith
As a decoction – Typically simmered in water, often combined with other cooling, diuretic herbs like Mu Tong or Zhu Ye.
In pediatric formulas – Included in gentle teas for childhood irritability or night crying.
In urinary formulas – Combined with Che Qian Cao, Hua Shi, or Mu Tong to enhance damp-heat clearing for painful urination.
Where to Buy Rush Pith
Available in TCM herbal shops – Sold as dried, thin, straw-like stems or pith.
Online herbal suppliers – May be purchased in bulk or pre-packaged for decoction use.
Look for: light, hollow pith pieces that are clean, dry, and free of mold or discoloration.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Rush pith is gentle and safe when used properly. Overuse may lead to excessive urination or depletion of fluids. It should be avoided in cases of cold from deficiency or excessive urination without heat. Always use under practitioner guidance, especially in children.
Conclusion
Rush pith (Deng Xin Cao) is a light, cooling herb that clears Heart fire, promotes urination, and calms irritability. Especially effective for urinary tract discomfort, restlessness, and pediatric night crying, it provides gentle yet effective relief by draining heat and guiding it downward.
FAQ
Can rush pith help with urinary tract infections? – Yes, especially when symptoms include painful, scanty urination from damp-heat.
Is it safe for children? – Yes, it is commonly used for childhood night crying and restlessness under professional guidance.
Can it improve sleep? – Yes, it helps calm irritability and mild insomnia related to Heart fire and heat agitation.