Lu Gen
(LGA022)
Reed Rhizome
Rhizoma Phragmitis
This medical herb is the rhizomes of the perennial herb, common reed (Phragmitis communis,
Trin., family Gramineae), distributed widely throughout China . It may be harvested in late spring, early
summer, or autumn. After earth and rootlets are removed they are peeled, then cut into pieces and used
fresh or sunlight-dried.
Properties: Being sweet in flavour, cold in nature, it acts on the lung and stomach channels. The
cold property clears the heat, the moist quality promotes the production of body fluid and the sweet
flavour eliminates dampness. The herb can clear heat in lung and stomach, promote the production of
body fluid to quench thirst and induce diuresis for treating stranguria as well. The potency of the herb
is relatively weak, so it has the action of astringing the pathogenic factors without impairing the vital-
Qi. It is therefore applied to febrile diseases manifested as impairment of the body fluid and excessive
thirst.
Effects: Clearing heat, promoting the production of body fluid, relieving restlessness, and
arresting vomiting.
Indications:
1. For treating the impairment of the body fluid caused by febrile diseases, vexation and thirst, red
tongue, lack of body fluid, it is often used in combination with Mai Dong (ophiopogon root), Tian Hua
Feng (trichosanthes root), and Shi Gao (gypsum) to clear heat, nourish Yin, promote the production of
the body fluid, and quench thirst. For treating stomach-heat and vomiting, it is used in combination
with other drugs for clearing stomach-heat and arresting vomiting, such as Zhu Ru (bamboo shavings).
2. For treating lung-heat and cough with yellow and thick phlegm, it is used in combination with
Huang Qin (scutellaria root), Gua Luo (trichosanthes fruit) to remove the heat from lung, resolve
sputum and quench thirst. For pulmonary abscesses with vomiting pus and blood, it is used in
combination with Tao Ren (peach kernel), Dong Gua Ren (waxgourd seed), Yi Yi Ren (coix seed)
known as Weijing Tang (Decoction of the Reed Stem) to enhance the action of clearing the lung-heat
and evacuating pus.
The herb can be also used for treating dribbling urination and neonatal measles because it has the
functions of inducing diuresis, eliminating dampness, ventilating lung and promoting eruption.
Dosage and Administration: 15~30g for dried preparation, 30~60g for the fresh. The fresh reed
root is superior in clearing heat and promoting the production of the body fluid.
Modern Researches: Tested in vitro, this herb shows the inhibiting effects on β- hemolytic
streptococci.
芦根《别录》
为禾本科多年生草本植物芦苇 Phragmites communis. Trin. 的地下茎。中国各地均有分
布。春末夏初或秋季均可采挖 , 除去泥土、须根 , 剥去皮膜 ,洗净 ,切段 , 鲜用或晒干用。
【药性说明】昧甘、性寒。归肺、胃经。本品性寒清热 , 质润生津 , 甘淡渗利 , 能清肺胃之
热、生津止渴 , 兼可利尿通淋。其药力较弱 , 但无敛邪伤正之弊 , 适于热病津伤烦渴。
【药物功效】清热生津 , 除烦止呕。
【临床应用】
1. 治热病津伤 , 心烦口渴 , 舌红少津 , 常配麦冬、天花粉、石膏以清热养阴 , 生津止渴 ; 若
胃热呕逆 , 可配竹茹等清胃止呕药同用。
2. 治肺热咳嗽 , 痰黄黏稠 , 配黄苓、瓜萎以清泻肺热 , 化痰止咳 ; 治肺痛咳吐脓血 , 可配挑
仁、冬瓜子、薏苡仁, 能增强清肺排脓的作用 , 如苇茎汤。
此外 , 本品还可用于小便淋痛及小儿麻疹 , 有利尿通淋和宣肺透疹的作用。
【用量用法】干品 15~30 克 , 鲜品 30~60 克。鲜品清热生津之效更佳。
【现代研究】体外实验对β溶血性链球菌有抑制作用。
Basic knowledge of Herbology