Earthnotes
Herb Library

Back to Herb Menu     Back to Index

DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.


BOG RUSH
Juncaceae
aka Japanese-mat rush, Soft rush
(Juncus effusus var decipiens)
imageImage

A perennial of wet locations in lowlands and mountains of Japan, China, Korea, and North America growing to 12 inches or more in a dense mat on a short creeping rootstock which bears a few brownish, scale-like leaves toward the base of the stem. Flowers are solitary, small and light green.

PART USED: Pith

USES

MEDICINAL:
Has been used in Chinese medicine as a purgative and sedative to treat insomnia, throat inflammation, coughs and loss of memory.

OTHER:
Cultivated in southwest Japan for use in weaving tatami (standard floor covering of Japanese homes).
The pith of the stem has been used in China as lamp wicks and for mat making.



©2004 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

top