Equisetum ramosissimum Desf.
Aliases：Tǔ Mù Zéi (Soil Horsetail); Suǒ Méi Cǎo (Locked-eyebrow Grass); Bǐ Gǎn Cǎo (Pencil-stem Grass); Bǐ Tǒng Cǎo (Pen-cylinder Grass); Tōng Qì Cǎo (Air-unblocking Herb); Méi Máo Cǎo (Eyebrow Grass); Jiē Gǔ Cǎo (Bone-connecting Herb); Cuò Dāo Cǎo (File Grass); Tǔ Má Huáng (Soil Ephedra); Bǐ Tóu Cǎo (Pen-tip Grass); Jié Jié Cài (Joint-vegetable), among others.
Jié Jié Cǎo (Ramose Scouring Rush) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., a plant of the Equisetaceae family. It is a perennial herb with upright, hollow, jointed, and highly branched stems that can grow up to 1 meter in height.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and promotes diuresis; improves eyesight and removes corneal opacities.
Indications
Ophthalmic disorders: Red and swollen eyes, corneal opacity, pterygium, and epiphora (excessive tearing in wind), among others. Hepatobiliary and urinary system disorders: Acute jaundice hepatitis, gonorrhea (urinary tract infections). Respiratory system disorders: Cough, bronchitis. Others: May also be used for edema, hematuria, and traumatic injuries, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effect. Antioxidant effect. Hypoglycemic effect. Lipid-lowering effect. Diuretic and hemostatic effects. Hepatoprotective effect.
Ingredients
Alkaloids: Nicotine, palustrine, etc. Flavonoids: Kaempferol-3-sophoroside-7-glucoside, kaempferol-3-sophoroside, etc. Sterols: Sitosterol, stigmasterol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 3–12g. The clinical dosage may be up to 9–30g. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, may be mashed for application, or ground into powder for sprinkling on the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with cold-deficiency constitution: As this herb is cool in nature, it may aggravate the internal cold condition in individuals with a cold-deficiency constitution. Contraindicated for individuals with allergies: Those who are allergic to this herb should not use it.
Selected Formulas
For urinary stones (strangury): Take 30g of Jié Jié Cǎo (Equisetum ramosissimum) and 15g of winter honey. Add one cup of boiling water, simmer briefly, and take orally. For eye boils and corneal opacity: Take 30g of Jié Jié Cǎo, 15g of winter honey, and 60g of lean pork. Stew with water and consume. For traumatic tendon injuries: Take 15g of Jié Jié Cǎo and an appropriate amount of lean pork. Stew with water and consume.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for oral use: Take 3–12g of Jié Jié Cǎo (Equisetum ramosissimum), decoct it in water, and drink the liquid.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant (or aerial part).
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place.
