English: Cogongrass rhizomes
Chinese: 白茅根
Use of Bai Mao Gen (cogongrass rhizomes) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Wash, moisten, cut and dry
Dosage: 10 - 30 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Stops bleeding due to Heat in the Blood. Drains Heat and encourages urination. Relieves Heat in the Stomach and Lungs.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Bai Mao Gen may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Hematemesis Nosebleed Hematuria Acute nephritis Dysuria Edema
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used where there is Cold associated with Spleen Deficiency.
Common TCM formulas in which Bai Mao Gen is used*
Shi Hui San
Source date: 1348g
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula key actions: Cools the Blood and . Stops bleeding. Clears Heat and drains Fire.
Conditions targeted*: Pulmonary tuberculosisBronchiectasis and others
Bai Mao Gen is a deputy ingredient in Shi Hui San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Shi Hui San, Bai Mao Gen , together with other deputy herbs, cools the Blood and stop bleeding.
Together with the key herbs, it clear the Heat that is the source of the bleeding problem while also stopping the bleeding.
Key TCM concepts behind Bai Mao Gen's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Bai Mao Gen belongs to the 'Herbs that stop bleeding' category. Like the name indicates these herbs tend to have hemostatic properties, meaning that they help stop various types of hemorrhages and echymosis. Unlike other herbs they often tend to be used externally.
Furthermore Bai Mao Gen is Cold in nature. This means that Bai Mao Gen typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Bai Mao Gen can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Bai Mao Gen also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Bai Mao Gen tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Bai Mao Gen is thought to target the Bladder, the Lung and the Stomach. In TCM the impure water collected by the Kidneys that cannot be used by the body is sent to the Bladder for storage and excretion as urine. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body. The Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.
Research on Bai Mao Gen
Shufeng Liangxue Decoction (consisting of imperata rhizome) is effective and safe in treating hormone dependence dermatitis, with the efficacy better and relapse rate lower than those of treatment with Western medicine alone.1
Sources:
1. Bai YS, Zhou CY, Wang JQ. (2008). Clinical observation on auxiliary treatment of hormone dependence dermatitis by shufeng liangxue decoction. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 28(12):1121-3.
Use of Bai Mao Gen as food
Bai Mao Gen is also eaten as food.