Gonorrhea, edema treated with TCM Juncus effusus

What is Juncus effusus(Deng Xin Cao)? Also known as Medulla Junci in Latin name and common rush or soft rush in common name, medicinally it refers to the dry pith of Juncus effusus L. [J. Effusus L.Var.Decipiens Buchen.; J.decipiens (Buchen.) Nakai], a plant in the family Juncaceae. Hence it is sometimes called rush pith too. In China it is native to Jiangsu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and other places. For medicinal uses, this herb is usually harvested from late summer to autumn. After that, keep the stems, dry them in the sun, take the pith out, sort them out, and tie them into bundles.

Juncus plant is a perennial herb, 40 to 100cm in height. Rhizome grows horizontally, with dense fibrous roots. Stems are tufted, erect, slender, cylindrical, 1.5 to 4cm in diameter, and full of white pith inside, which accounts for most of the space. Sheaths are reddish-brown or yellowish in color and sometimes up to 15cm in height. Leaf blade degrades into spine like shape. Inflorescence is pseudo lateral, cymose, flowery, and dense or sparse. Bracts connected with stems are 5 to 10cm long. Rush flower is pale green, 2 to 2.5cm long, and with short handle. Capsule is oblong, apex obtuse or emarginate, as long as or longer than the perianth, with 3 complete diaphragms inside. Seeds are numerous, ovate-oblong, brown, and about 0.4mm. Juncus effusus flowering time is from June to July and fruiting time from July to October.

Main chemical constituents include a variety of phenanthrene derivatives, volatile oil, fiber, fatty oil, protein, and polysaccharides.

Juncus effusus health benefits
As what mentioned before, Juncus is a medicinal plant and known for its efficacy for clearing heart heat. So how it works and how to get the most health benefits from this amazing herb? And here are the proven tips for you.

Modern pharmacological actions
Experiments showed that Juncus has diuretic and hemostatic effects.