Gu Jing Cao

The Processing of Gu Jing Cao

Origin

The headlike inflorescence of annual herb Eriocaulon buergerianum Koern. of family Eriocaulaceae.

Location

Mainly in Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces of China.

Harvest

Collected in autumn.

The actual smell and taste

Non-smelly and bland taste.

Best quality

Big and tight in grayish white with short scape in light yellow, with light and soft texture, without roots, leaves and impurities.

Processing

Unprocessed.

The Effect of Gu Jing Cao

Property

Pungent, slightly bitter and cool; liver and stomach meridians entered.

Actions

Clear liver heat, disperse wind-heat, improve vision and remove nebula.

Indications

A. Eye diseases due to liver heat and wind-heat

Because it can disperse wind-heat of face and head, and clear liver heat; it is indicated for blood-shot eyes and lacrimation with gritty secretion, photophobia or nebula of the eyes caused by wind-heat attacking exterior or liver heat attacking up. For eye diseases due to wind-heat, it is combined with herbs for dispelling wind and improving vision such as Chan Tui, Mu Zei. For eye diseases due to liver heat, it is combined with herbs for clearing liver and improving vision, such as Xia Ku Cao and Jue Ming Zi, etc.

B. Headache, toothache, sore throat due to wind-heat

For it goes up to head and dispel wind-heat, it is commonly indicated for headache, toochache and sore throat due to wind-heat, usually combined with wind-heat-dispelling herbs such as Man Jing Zi, Niu Bang Zi and Sheng Ma.

Dosage and Administrations

Decoct 5~15g.

Notes for Gu Jing Cao

Naming

Gu Jing Cao (Flos Eriocauli) ——Kai Bao Ben Cao (Materia Medica In Kai-Bao Reign)