INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: GU JING CAO - 谷经草 - FLOS ERIOCAULI

Pharmaceutical Latin: Flos Eriocauli
Common English: Pipewort Scapus and Inflorescence
Buerger Pipewort Flower

CATEGORY

Herbs that Clear Heat and Purge Fire: Herbs that Clear Heat and Drain Fire; Herbs that Clear Heat in the Qi Stage

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet
(Acrid)
Neutral
(Cool)
Liver
Stomach
4.5-15g
Tincture: 2-5ml

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Disperses Wind-Heat in the Liver channel, brightens the eyes and eliminates superficial visual obstruction

Wind-Heat Entering the Liver channel with red, swollen eyes, spots before the eyes, cataracts, photosensitivity, hazy vision, excessive tearing or pterygium

Wind-Heat headache, toothache or throat Bi

*CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with eye diseases due to Blood Deficiency.
  • Forbidden in metabolic Deficiency.
  • Avoid contact with iron
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

MAJOR COMBINATIONS:

Hb. Schizonepetae
Jing Jie
Flos Chrysanthemi
Ju Hua

Rx. Gentianae
Long Dan Cao
Rx. Paeoniae Rubra
Chi Shao

Flos Chrysanthemi
Ju Hua
SP. Prunellae
Xia Ku Cao
Rx. Gentianae
Long Dan Cao

Pterygium, blurred vision, and itchy skin due to Wind-Damp-Heat

Red eyes, pterygium, headache and toothache due to Liver Fire

Red eyes

Hb. Schizonepetae
Jing Jie

Periostracum Cicadae
Chan Tui

 

Itching of the eyes

Superficial visual obstruction

 

NOTES

  1. This herb disperses Wind-Heat in the eyes and head.
  2. It excels at dispersing Wind-Heat, brightening the eyes and reducing superficial visual obstruction.
  3. It is often prescribed for eye problems due to Wind-Heat or Liver Heat.
  4. It is mild on the digestion.
  5. Both Gu Jing Cao and Hb. Equiseti Hiemalis Mu Zei dredge and disperse Wind-Heat, reduce superficial visual obstruction and improve vision. Gu Jing Cao is better for superficial visual obstruction. Mu Zei is stronger at eliminating Wind-Heat and is diaphoretic. It is preferred for eye disorders with external pathogens.
  6. Both Gu Jing Cao and Flos Buddlejae Mi Meng Hua expel Wind, and cool Heat, benefit the eyes and reduce superficial visual obstruction. they are often combined to treat eye disorders. Gu Jing Cao is acrid, sweet, cool and enters the Liver and Stomach channels. It is good for eye problems and for headache and toothache due to Wind. Mi Meng Hua is sweet, cold, and also enters the Liver channel. Its rising and dispersing nature is not as strong as Gu Jing Cao. It excels at simultaneously cooling Liver Heat, tonifying Liver Blood and moistening Liver Dryness. I can be used for all types of eye problems.