Qu Mai Dianthus chinensis and superbus "Pinks" Herba Dianthi Caryophyllaceae
Properties: cold bitter
Channels: Heart Kidney Urinary Bladder Small Intestine
Functions: Clears Heat and promotes urination, promotes bowel movement,
breaks up congealed blood, promotes menses
Dosage in decoction: 5-10 g
Caution: Low energy during pregnancy
Comparative Ethnobotany:
"Caryophyllus Simplex Major, The fingle Gillofloure or Pinke
The Vertues:
A. The conferue made of the floures of the Cloue Gillofloure and sugar, is
exceeding cordial, and wonderfully above measure doth comforethe the heart, being
eaten now and then.
B. It prevaileth against hot pestilentiall fevers, expelleth the poyson and
furie of disease, and greatly comforteth the sicke"2
Commentary
From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, Urininary Tract Infections AKA Lin
Syndromes are often times cause by Heat. Also, as one might expect, Lin
syndromes may be accompanied by bleeding "Blood Lin" or stones "Stone Lin". Qu Mai, or Pinks, is used for Blood Lin,
because it stops bleeding and moves blood. It is also used when heat is dominent over damp, because it is a
cold herb. Often times Heat-dominant Lin syndromes are caused by "heat in
the Heart" transferring to the Urinary Bladder via the Small Instestine.
(It is important to remember that Chinese organs are not to be taken as exact
equivelents to their biomedical counterparts.)*
Heat in the Heart is generally characterized by signs and symtoms such as
anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, tongue sores, and itching. Therefore, Qu Ma
is used when these symptoms accompany a Lin syndromes. Interestingly,
according to the 1633 English Herbalist Thomas Johnson, this herb has the ability to
"comforethe the heart." This idea corresponds well to the the Chinese medical perspective
that cool herbs entering the Heart channel, such as qu mai, may "Calm the Shen (or spirit)."
One also may note from the text that Pinks were noted to "prevaileth against hot pestilentiall fevers" again evidence of the cool nature of
the herb.
Distribution: mountains, fields, gardens, forrest edges
Cultivation: warm, moist climate, well-drained sandy loam. Mix seeds with sand or thin soil before sowing. Keep moist and wait 15 days for seedlings. One can also propagate by divistion.
Harvest: collect when flowering
Substitute species: D. Versicolor, D. amurensis, and D. subulifolius
References:
1. Saltzman, Mark and Marisa. 1992. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica Study Guide.
Complementary medicine Press. Brookline, Massachusetts.
2. The Herbal or General History of Plants The Complete 1633 Edition as
Revised and Enlarged By Thomas Johnson An unabridged republication of the work
originally printed by Adam Islip Joice Norton and Richard Witakers, London, in
1633. John Gerard. New York, 1975 Dover Publications Inc. p. 590
3. Herbal Emmissaries bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Steven Foster and Yue ChongXi. 1992. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vermont. pp. 180.
Chinese Pharmacopoeia Index