Herba Pogostemonis
Source
The branch and leaf of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth., family Labiatae.
Characteristics
A perennial herb, 30-80 cm high. Aged basal stem rounded, upper stem square;
its cross section pith in the center. leaves opposite, ovate, 4-9 
cm
long, 3-7 cm broad, apexes obtuse-rounded, margins irregularly serrate.
The whole plant covered by down. The commercial drugs are yellow-green,
leaves wrinkled and mostly separated, branches cut into segments, flower
rare. Aromatic in odour. Acrid in taste, slightly warm in nature, and
attributive to spleen, stomach and lung channels.
Indication
1. Eliminate dampness from the middle jiao: For dampness-syndrome involving
the spleen with fullness of the chest and epigastrium, anorexia and greasy
feeling in the mouth, usually used together with Rizizoma Atractylodis,
Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, etc.; for summer-heat dampness syndrome
and summer-heat febrile disease, used together with drugs for expelling
dampness, such as Herba Artemisiae Scopariae, Talcum, etc.; also for thrush,
mycotic enteritis and vaginitis.
2. Regulate the middle jiao and stop vomiting: For dampness-retention
syndrome with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and morning sickness.
3.
Eliminate summer-heat and expel the affection of exogenous summer-heat
and dampness: For affection of exogenous wind-cold with retention of dampness
in the interior manifested as chilliness, fever, heaviness and pain of
the head and the body, fullness of the chest, nausea, etc.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Its aromatic component promotes the secretion of gastric juice and
digestive function, relaxes the gastrointestinal spasm and reduces the
abnormal fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Bacteriostatic.
Administration Decoction: 3-10g, (decocted later); 30-60g both orally and topically for thrush and mycotic vaginitis.