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Cura x Cura

Gu Jing Cao谷精草

Eriocauli Flos · Pipewort Flower · Eriocaulon

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药《开宝本草》

Overview

Small dried flower heads on their stalks, used almost entirely for the eyes. Acrid, sweet and neutral in temperature, it scatters wind-heat lodged in the Liver channel and clears redness, swelling and superficial screens from the eye. Because it is neutral rather than cold, it suits eye complaints in patients who do not tolerate cold herbs well.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, sweet · Neutral

Channels

Liver · Lung

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
谷精草Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Scatters wind-heat, brightens the eyesRed, swollen, painful eyes with photophobia and watering from wind-heat.
  • Removes superficial visual obstructionCorneal screens and blurring left after an eye inflammation; classically with Ju Hua and Mu Zei.
  • Relieves wind-heat headache and toothacheFrontal headache and toothache attributed to wind-heat rising along the channels.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Gu Jing Cao

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Red, swollen, painful eyes from wind-heat
    - Photophobia and excessive watering of the eyes
    - Corneal screens and blurring after inflammation
    - Wind-heat frontal headache and toothache

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

ConjunctivitisPhotophobiaCorneal opacityToothache

Contraindications

Cautions

Its target is wind-heat in the eye. Blurred or dim vision from blood or yin deficiency needs nourishing herbs, and a dispersing one used there makes the dryness worse. Any sudden change in vision, severe eye pain, or an eye injury needs an ophthalmic examination first — herbal treatment does not replace it.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》 (Zhonghua Ben Cao).

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.