Imperatae Rhizoma
Aliases：Maogen、Langen、Rugen、Dijian、Dijin、Jiandu、Baimaojian、Baihuamaogen、Simao、Wangenacao、Maocaogen
Baimaogen (Imperatae Rhizoma) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried rhizome of Imperata cylindrica Beauv. var. major (Nees) C.E. Hubb. (family Poaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
Cool the Blood to stop bleeding, clear Heat to promote diuresis, and clear Heat from the Lung and Stomach.
Indications
It is mainly used for hematemesis due to Blood heat, epistaxis, hematuria, vexation and thirst in febrile diseases, damp-heat jaundice, edema with scanty urine, and painful strangury due to Heat.
Modern Pharmacology
This product has hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, immunoenhancing, diuretic, and other effects.
Ingredients
This product mainly contains triterpenoids (such as arundoin, cylindrin, indicalin*, coixol, fernanol, simiarenol, isoarborinol, etc.) and lactones (such as anemonin, etc.). In addition, it also contains organic acids, sterols, saccharides (sugars), and other components.
Usage & Dosage
1. Internal use: 10–30 g in decoction (30–60 g for fresh herb); or taken as fresh juice. 2. External use: Appropriate amount of fresh herb, crushed and the juice applied topically.
Contraindications
It is contraindicated in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold with frequent urination and absence of thirst.
Selected Formulas
1. For recurrent hematuria due to deficiency with heat Indicated when hematuria occurs intermittently and the pathogenesis involves both healthy qi deficiency and internal heat. Often combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Fuling (Poria) – as in Maogen Yinzi (Imperata Drink) from Waitai Miyao (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library). 2. For jaundice due to damp‑heat Often combined with Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) and Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus) to clear heat, eliminate dampness, and relieve jaundice. 3. For stomach‑heat vomiting Can be combined with Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) – as in Maogen Tang (Imperata Decoction) from Xiaopin Fang (Small Formulary). For lung‑heat cough and wheezing, it is often combined with Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) – as in Rushen Tang (Miraculous Decoction) from Taiping Shenghui Fang (Taiping Holy Prescriptions).
Daily Consumption
Congee – Decoct fresh/dried root, use liquid to cook rice. Benefits: clears heat, promotes diuresis, cools blood. For edema, scanty urine. Add mung bean or rice bean for stronger effect. Tea – Steep 60g fresh or 30g dried in boiling water for 10-15 min. Add honey or rock sugar. May combine with honeysuckle (30g) or lotus node (20g). Benefits: clears heat, generates fluids. L ean Pork Soup – 60g fresh root, 100g sugar cane, 500g lean pork; simmer 1-2 h. Benefits: clears heat, relieves summerheat, moistens lung. Sugar Cane Drink – 100g fresh root + 200g sugar cane; decoct. For lung heat cough, stomach heat vomiting. Honeysuckle Tea – 40g fresh root + 20g honeysuckle; boil, add rock sugar. For wind-heat cold, sore throat. Three Roots Bone Soup – 50g dried root (double if fresh) with kudzu root, reed rhizome, water chestnut, pork bones. For heat from staying up late or excess alcohol/tobacco. Pork Tripe Soup – 30-50g fresh root with pork tripe, corn silk, ginger. For urinary frequency, urgency. Stewed Pork – 100g root + 150g pork stewed. For acute jaundice hepatitis with damp-heat.
Medicinal Parts
dried rhizome
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a well-ventilated, dry place. For carbonized Baimaogen (Maogen Charcoal), dissipate heat promptly to prevent re-ignition.