Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Other Names : Juncus effusus, Juncus communis effusus, mat rush, Jonc à lier, jonc épars, sumpu, udulan, sudsud, pingot, balili, cây bấc, bấc dèn, dăng tâm thảo.
See also : Deng Xin Cao

Special Precautions of Soft Rush

Possibly toxic to mammals : J. effusus is readily eaten by goats but rarely by sheep, and is reported to be poisonous to cattle.

Health Benefits and uses of Soft Rush

• The pith of the stem is antiphlogistic, depurative, discutient, diuretic, febrifuge, lenitive, lithontripic, pectoral and sedative.
• It is used in the treatment of sore throats, jaundice, oedema, acute urinary tract infection and morbid crying of babies.
• In Peninsular Malaysia the pith is imported from China and used as a drug ("sumbu china"), e.g. against urinary problems.
• In China and Vietnam it is credited with antilithic, pectoral, discutient, refrigerant, diuretic, depurative and sedative properties and it is used to keep fistulous sores open.
• The root is also considered to be diuretic.
• It may have potential for wastewater treatment, but in comparative studies it showed less biomass production and nutrient accumulation than species such as Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel and Schoenoplectus lacustris (L.) Palla.