Golden Ear Grass
Alternate Names: Wā Ěr Cǎo (Ear-Digging Grass) (from "Chongqing Herbal Medicine"), Pǔ Dì Jú (Prostrate Chrysanthemum), Láo Shāng Cǎo (Injury-Healing Grass) (from "Quanzhou Materia Medica"), Yě Yān (Wild Tobacco), Tiě Zhuǎ Zǐ Cǎo (Iron Claw Grass), Yě Xiàng Rì Kuí (Wild Sunflower), Tiě Gǔ Xiāo (Iron Bone Eliminator), Fān Tiān Yìn (Overturning Heaven Seal) (from "Hunan Materia Medica"), Dǎo Gài Jú (Inverted Lid Chrysanthemum), Shān Yān Tǒng Tóu (Mountain Smoke Pipe Head) (from "Guangzhou Air Force's Manual of Common Chinese Herbal Medicines").
Flavor and Nature: Bitter and pungent, cool.
Medicinal Part: The whole plant of Carpesium divaricatum (a species from the Asteraceae family), commonly known as Golden Ear Grass.
Morphological Characteristics: The dried whole plant features slender, long stems covered in silky hairs, which are particularly dense on younger parts, ranging from grayish-green to dark brown. The leaves are often wrinkled and broken, oval-oblong in shape, appearing grayish-green to brownish-green. The stem base is clustered with fine roots, about 5–10 cm long, dark brown. Occasionally, it bears withered yellow capitulum (flower heads). It has a grassy odor and a涩 (astringent) taste.
How to Use Golden Ear Grass
Internal Use: Typically prepared as a decoction (boiled tea), using 6-9 grams (2–3钱); or by crushing the fresh herb to extract the juice.
External Use: Used as a wash after boiling in water, or applied as a poultice by mashing the fresh herb.
Functions and Indications of Golden Ear Grass
Functions: Clears heat and detoxifies the body, often interpreted as reducing inflammation and combating harmful agents (PMID: 28163588).
Indications: Traditionally used to address common colds, headaches (especially those related to "wind-heat" patterns), diarrhea, sore throat, red eyes (conjunctivitis), boils, carbuncles, toxic sores, and hemorrhoidal bleeding.
Formulas and Combinations with Golden Ear Grass
① For treating sore throat: Mash fresh Golden Ear Grass whole plant, squeeze out the juice, and mix with honey before consuming. (From "Quanzhou Materia Medica")
② For early-stage "cold toxin sores" or those that haven't ulcerated: Mash the leaves of Wā Ěr Cǎo (Golden Ear Grass) into a paste and apply as a poultice. This helps to dissipate the swelling, or bring it to a head if it cannot resolve.
③ For hemorrhoids with bleeding: Boil Wā Ěr Cǎo (Golden Ear Grass) in water and use it as a wash.
④ For treating mumps: Take 250 grams (half a catty) of Wā Ěr Cǎo (Golden Ear Grass) leaves and four large green onion bulbs. Mash them together with fermented grains (酒糟子), stir-fry until warm, and apply externally as a poultice. Additionally, mash seven roots of Wā Ěr Cǎo (Golden Ear Grass), steep in boiling water, and drink the liquid. (Formulas ② to ④ are from "Chongqing Herbal Medicine")
⑤ For boils, carbuncles, swelling, and herpes zoster (shingles): Mash fresh Dǎo Gài Jú (Golden Ear Grass) and apply to the affected area. (From "Guangzhou Air Force's Manual of Common Chinese Herbal Medicines")
⑥ For poisonous snake or rabid dog bites: Decoction of 9 grams (three qian) of Golden Ear Grass. (From "Hunan Materia Medica")
Scholarly Discussions on Golden Ear Grass
1. "Chongqing Herbal Medicine": Used for washing and poulticing sores.
2. "Quanzhou Materia Medica": Clears heat, detoxifies, and benefits the throat. Primarily indicated for various throat conditions, "wind-head" headaches, "wind-fire" red eyes, "labor-injury" induced yellow eyes, and insect stings (PMID: 21975765).
3. "Hunan Materia Medica": Clears heat, detoxifies, expels wind, and eliminates parasites.
4. "Guangzhou Air Force's Manual of Common Chinese Herbal Medicines": Clears heat, detoxifies, reduces inflammation, and dispels blood stasis. Treats common colds, abdominal pain, acute enteritis, and lymphadenitis (PMID: 32244199).
For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.
References
Anti-inflammatory activities of sesquiterpenoids from Carpesium divaricatum. PMID: 21975765
Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Carpesium divaricatum (L.) extracts. PMID: 28163588
A comprehensive review of the chemical constituents and biological activities of plants from the genus Carpesium. PMID: 32244199
3-Second Self-Test & 30-Second Self-Help
If you're experiencing a sore throat, mild cold symptoms, or a pesky skin irritation:
Then consider whether Golden Ear Grass, a traditional herbal remedy known for clearing heat and detoxification, might be helpful. For mild skin issues, a quick external poultice of the mashed fresh herb could offer immediate soothing.
