Herba Lophatheri
Source
Herb of Lophatherum gracile Brongn., family Gramineae.
Characteristics
A perennial herb. Fibrous roots numerous, the middle of which usually
enlarged
to form root tubers. Culm 70 cm long, circular, with nodes. Section hollow.
Leaves alternate, lanceolate; parallel veins and small transverse veins
obvious, forming small squares. The dried ones yellow-green. Prepared
as segments. Sweet in taste, cold in nature, and attributive to heart,
stomach and small intestine channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and relieve vexation: For febrile diseases with fever,
thirst and chest upset, usually used together with Gypsum Fibrosum, Rhizoma
Anemarrhenae; for common cold of wind-heat type, used together with Flos
Chrysanthemi, Herba Menthae, etc.
2.
Clear away heart-fire and promote diuresis: For heart-heat syndrome with
aphthae and oliguria with reddish urine, stranguria of heat type, usually
used together with Caulis Akebiae, Radix Rehmanniae and Radix Glycyrrhizae.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Antipyretic: Stomach perfusion of its infusion can reduce vaccine-induced
fever in rats. The antipyretic effect of infusion (2g/kg) is 0.83 times
as that of phenacetin (33mg/kg) in cats or rabbits.
2. Increasing the amount of chlorides in urine although its diuretic effect
is weak.
Administration Decoction: 6-12g.