Mù Zéi (木贼), known in English as Scouring rush (Equisetum hyemale), is a neutral, sweet and bitter Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Heat) category. It enters the Lung and Liver channels. Its main action: disperses Wind-Heat.
| Pinyin | Mù Zéi (Mu Zei) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 木贼 |
| English | Scouring rush |
| Botanical name | Equisetum hyemale |
| Category | Release exterior (Heat) |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Bitter |
| Channels | Lung, Liver |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Qi and Blood deficiency (long-term use) |
Actions
- Disperses Wind-Heat
- Brightens eyes, removes superficial visual obstruction
Indications
- Red eyes from Wind-Heat
- Tearing on exposure to wind
- Corneal opacity
How to remember Mù Zéi
Release exterior (Heat) herbs are mostly cool or cold, acrid and sweet, and most enter the Lung and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Lung channel: like most Release exterior (Heat) herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Brightens eyes”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Release exterior (Heat) herbs (most are cool or cold)
- Bitter: unusual for Release exterior (Heat) herbs (most are acrid or sweet)
Other Release exterior (Heat) herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Mù Zéi?
Mù Zéi is neutral and sweet and bitter.
Which channels does Mù Zéi enter?
Mù Zéi enters the Lung and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Mù Zéi?
Disperses Wind-Heat; Brightens eyes, removes superficial visual obstruction.
What is Mù Zéi used for?
Red eyes from Wind-Heat; tearing on exposure to wind; corneal opacity.
Practise Mù Zéi and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.