Rhizoma Imperatae
Source
Rhizome of Imperata cylindrica (L.) beauv.var. major (Nees) C.E. Hubb.,
family Gramineae.
Characteristics
Rhizome slender round-striped, rarely branching, 30-60 cm long, 2-4 mm
in
diameter; surface yellow-white, nodes visible, with remnant scale leaves,
root and bud scars. Fracture showing radial gaps on the epidermis and
a small pore in the middle. Sweet in taste, cold in nature, and attributive
to lung, stomach and urinary bladder channels.
Indication
1. Cool the blood and stop bleeding: Generally used for hematuria and
metrorrhagia, also for hemoptysis, hematemesis and epistaxis, especially
for bleeding due to blood-heat.
2. Clear away heat and promote diuresis: For stranguria of heat type,
edema, dysuria, jaundice, etc. The herb has the advantage of promoting
diuresis without damaging yin.
3.
Clear away heat from the lung and stomach: For febrile diseases with excessive
thirst and diabetes, vomiting due to stomach-heat, dyspnea due to lung-heat.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Its aqueous infusion exerts a significant diuretic effect in experimental
animals.
2. Shortening clotting time and bleeding time, and decreasing the permeability
of blood vessels.
3. Inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus dysenteriae.
Administration Decoction: 15-30g; 30-60g of fresh herb.