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Cura x Cura

Mu Zei木贼

Equiseti Hiemalis Herba · Scouring Rush · Shave Grass

Herbs that Release the Exterior 解表药《嘉祐本草》

Overview

The dried aerial stem of scouring rush, hollow, jointed and ridged with silica — abrasive enough that it was once used to smooth wood, which is where its Chinese name comes from. Sweet, bitter and neutral, it disperses wind-heat with a narrow aim: the eyes. It is used for red, watering, wind-sensitive eyes and for the film that lingers on the cornea after inflammation has settled. A second and less common use is bleeding from the lower body.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, bitter · Neutral

Channels

Lung · Liver

Typical Dosage

3–9 g in decoction
木贼Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Disperses wind-heat, brightens the eyesRed sore eyes with tearing and sensitivity to wind and light; film or opacity remaining on the eye after inflammation.
  • Stops bleeding from belowBlood in the stool and hemorrhoidal bleeding — a secondary use, and one in which it is combined rather than used alone.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Mu Zei

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Red, watering, wind-sensitive eyes
    - Film or opacity on the eye following inflammation
    - Blood in the stool and hemorrhoidal bleeding

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

ConjunctivitisCorneal opacityExcessive tearingHemorrhoids

Contraindications

Cautions

Dispersing in action, so it is not used on its own where qi and blood are depleted, and long uninterrupted courses are avoided. Any eye complaint with pain and reduced vision needs an eye examination before it is treated with herbs.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Jia You Ben Cao《嘉祐本草》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

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.