✵The article records the herb Common Scouring Rush Herb—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—a single plant species, Equisetum hiemale L., and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Herba Equiseti (Common Scouring Rush Herb)
Pinyin Name: Mù Zéi
English Name: Common Scouring Rush Herb
Latin Name:Herba Equiseti Properties and Flavors: Neutral; bitter and sweet
Brief Introduction:Herba Equiseti is the dried aerial part of Equisetum hiemale L., used in traditional ophthalmology for treating acute eye infections and resolving nebula (corneal opacities). It is commonly known as Herba Equiseti, Common Scouring Rush Herb, or Mù Zéi.
Botanical Source:Herba Equiseti (Common Scouring Rush Herb) is the dried aerial part of Equisetum hiemale L., a perennial herb belonging to the genus Equisetum, family Equisetaceae, order Equisetales. It is also known as common scouring rush, herb of common scouring rush, Dutch rush, rough horsetail, or scouring rush.
Classical herbal works define Herba Equiseti (Common Scouring Rush Herb) as the dried aerial part of Equisetum hiemale L. This commonly used species is described below:
(1) Equisetum hiemale L.
Botanical Description:Equisetum hiemale L. is also known as Hippochaete hiemale (L.) Borh., a perennial evergreen herb. Stems grow 40–100 cm tall. The rhizome is thick and dark brown to blackish brown. Aboveground stems are erect, solitary, hollow, 5–10 mm in diameter, with 20–30 longitudinal ridges; each ridge bears two rows of verruciform (wart-like) protrusions. The epidermis contains abundant silica, rendering the surface extremely rough. Leaves are reduced to scale-like structures, fused at the base into a tubular sheath 6–10 mm long; the sheath base and teeth bear a distinct black ring. Sheath teeth are linear-subulate, apex is caudate and caducous, becoming blunt; the undersurface exhibits two longitudinal ridges forming a shallow groove.
A fertile strobilus develops at the stem apex—long-conical, 7–15 mm long, with dark brown, pointed tips. It consists of numerous whorled, hexagonal, peltate (shield-shaped) sporophylls; the central stalk bears elliptic, stipitate sporangia arranged in whorls. Spores are globose, each bearing two elaters that coil and uncoil upon contact with water, facilitating dispersal. The sporulation period occurs from June to August.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in shady, damp habitats—including forest margins on hillsides, riverbanks, marshes, and stream banks—and occasionally in weedy fields.
Growth Characteristics:Equisetum hiemale prefers moist, humid environments and thrives in full sun to partial shade, commonly found on hillslopes, riverbanks, and marshes.
Characteristics of the Herb: The stem is cylindrical, straight, 20–60 cm long and 2–6 mm in diameter, with prominent nodes and internodes 2.5–9 cm long; branches are absent. The surface is celadon (grayish-green) to yellowish-green, bearing 20–30 longitudinal ridges adorned with numerous minute, shiny, wart-like protrusions—rendering it coarse and abrasive. At each node, sheath-like leaves are present; the sheath base and teeth are brownish-black, while the middle portion is pale yellow. The herb is lightweight and brittle, breaking easily to reveal a hollow cross-section surrounded by numerous small, round cavities. It has a faint odor and a taste that is mildly sweet, slightly astringent, and gritty when chewed.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Astringent, anti-inflammatory, and hemostatic effects; (2) Cardiovascular effects; (3) Other effects: inhibition of platelet aggregation and release, sedative and anticonvulsant activities.
Medicinal Efficacy: Expels wind and clears heat; cools the blood and stops bleeding; brightens the eyes and resolves nebula. Indicated for wind-heat invading the eyes (e.g., red, painful, tearing eyes), nebula, hemorrhoidal bleeding, bloody stools, dysentery with blood, rectal prolapse, etc.
Administration of Herba Equiseti (Mù Zéi):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Herba Equiseti (Mù Zéi)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams; (2) Internally:water decoction, 1–3 qián (≈3–9 grams), or prepared as pills or powder. External use: apply finely powdered herb as appropriate; (3) Internally:water decoction, 3–10 grams, or prepared as pills or powder. External use: apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb topically.
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1.Introduction of Mu Zei: Common Scouring Rush Herb
✵The article records the herb Common Scouring Rush Herb—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—a single plant species, Equisetum hiemale L., and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Mù Zéi
Botanical Description: Equisetum hiemale L. is also known as Hippochaete hiemale (L.) Borh., a perennial evergreen herb. Stems grow 40–100 cm tall. The rhizome is thick and dark brown to blackish brown. Aboveground stems are erect, solitary, hollow, 5–10 mm in diameter, with 20–30 longitudinal ridges; each ridge bears two rows of verruciform (wart-like) protrusions. The epidermis contains abundant silica, rendering the surface extremely rough. Leaves are reduced to scale-like structures, fused at the base into a tubular sheath 6–10 mm long; the sheath base and teeth bear a distinct black ring. Sheath teeth are linear-subulate, apex is caudate and caducous, becoming blunt; the undersurface exhibits two longitudinal ridges forming a shallow groove.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in shady, damp habitats—including forest margins on hillsides, riverbanks, marshes, and stream banks—and occasionally in weedy fields.
Characteristics of the Herb: The stem is cylindrical, straight, 20–60 cm long and 2–6 mm in diameter, with prominent nodes and internodes 2.5–9 cm long; branches are absent. The surface is celadon (grayish-green) to yellowish-green, bearing 20–30 longitudinal ridges adorned with numerous minute, shiny, wart-like protrusions—rendering it coarse and abrasive. At each node, sheath-like leaves are present; the sheath base and teeth are brownish-black, while the middle portion is pale yellow. The herb is lightweight and brittle, breaking easily to reveal a hollow cross-section surrounded by numerous small, round cavities. It has a faint odor and a taste that is mildly sweet, slightly astringent, and gritty when chewed.
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