百子櫃THE HUNDRED DRAWERS
Common rush pith
燈芯草
clears heatcools internal firepromotes water metabolismcalms the spirit清心降火利尿通淋除煩安神小兒心熱夜啼、口舌生瘡常用
The dried spongy pith of the common rush, feather-light white strands sold tied in small bundles. Virtually flavourless, it is prized for its gentle cooling character rather than taste and must be tied or weighed down so it does not float out of the pot.
TCM properties
Nature · cooling Flavour · sweet、bland Meridians · heart、lung、small intestine
Traditional food therapy
In Cantonese food therapy it is a nursery herb, brewed to clear heart-fire, promote water and calm fretful restlessness, familiar from children's seven-star tea.
Cautions: read first
- Not for people who run cold and deficient, or who leak urine from cold deficiency in the lower body
Preparation
Tie it into small bundles, then soak and rinse. It is very light, so press it down into the soup.
Origin
Jiangsu, Sichuan and elsewhere
Availability in Australia
Herbal shops / specialists