- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Found worldwide; in Chinese medicine mainly from China
- Other names
- Schaafstro
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions, Haudenosaunee medicine
Asia · Herb · № 666
Equisetum hyemale
Herb · Asia
Scouring rush (mu zei)
Equisetum hyemale
Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind-heat around the eyes, stops bleeding and is diuretic.
Safety notes
Caution during pregnancy and with weakness, dryness or frequent urination. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Not for long periods; not with kidney disease.
Preparation
Aerial stems. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that open the surface'. The rough stems contain a lot of silica and were used to scour wood and tin. In Chinese medicine they are used for red, watery eyes and blurred vision.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, bitter, neutral
- Meridians
- lung, liver
Attributed effects
For fever with eye complaints, red eyes, inflamed tear ducts and films over the eye, bleeding from heat and urinary problems from heat. Externally as an eyewash for conjunctivitis.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. An ancient plant group; the European field horsetail is related.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For kidney backache, passing too much or too little urine and summer diarrhoea.
Preparation and amount
Boil a few stems briefly; the rough stems to scour pots.
Caution: Not for long periods; not with kidney disease.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction