Gu Jing Cao
Eriocaulon buergerianum Koern.
☯ TCM Properties
Disperses Wind-Heat; Brightens the Eyes; Brightens the Eyes and Removes Visual Obstructions; Clears Liver Heat
Botanical Description
Eriocaulon buergerianum is a small aquatic to semi-aquatic annual herb in the Eriocaulaceae, growing in shallow standing water, rice paddies, and wet boggy margins across eastern Asia. It forms a basal rosette of narrow, grass-like, soft, translucent linear leaves 4-10 cm long. From the rosette arise numerous slender, twisted, longitudinally ribbed scapes 15-30 cm tall, each terminating in a single small button-like head 4-6 mm across composed of many tiny greyish-white to ash-coloured staminate and pistillate florets enclosed by chaffy involucral bracts. The dried scapes with attached flower heads, collected in autumn, constitute the medicinal Gu Jing Cao. The persistent papery heads remain after fruiting.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3-9g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Gu Jing Cao (pipewort scapeflower, eriocaulon) is a cool herb used in Chinese medicine primarily as an ophthalmic remedy. It disperses Wind-Heat from the head and face, clears the eyes of redness and inflammation, and dissolves corneal opacities. Its affinity for the eyes is so well-recognized that classical physicians considered its efficacy in brightening the eyes and resolving corneal cloudiness superior to chrysanthemum for certain conditions. It is used for red, painful, light-sensitive eyes from Wind-Heat or Liver Heat.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.