Product Overview
Parts used: Dried rhizome
TCM category: Herbs that stop bleeding
TCM nature: Cold
TCM taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: Bladder Stomach Lung
Scientific name: Imperata cylindrica
Other names: Kunai grass, Blady grass, Alang-alang, Lalang grass, Cotton wool grass, Kura-kura, Speargrass, Woolly grass
Use of cogongrass rhizomes (Bai Mao Gen) 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 practitionner, 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 cogongrass rhizomes 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 cogongrass rhizomes are used*:
For Cool Heat in the Lung and Stomach combine cogongrass rhizomes with common reed rhizomes (Lu Gen).
For painful urinary dysfunction combine cogongrass rhizomes with gold coin herb (Jin Qian Cao) and dandelions (Pu Gong Ying).
For Heat-induced nosebleeds, hematuria and/or blood-tinged sputum combine cogongrass rhizomes with lotus roots (Ou Jie) and unprepared rehmannia (Di Huang).
Key TCM concepts behind cogongrass rhizomes (Bai Mao Gen)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cogongrass rhizomes are plants that belong 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 cogongrass rhizomes are plants that are Cold in nature. This means that cogongrass rhizomes typically help 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 cogongrass rhizomes can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Cogongrass rhizomes also taste Sweet. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like cogongrass rhizomes tend 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 cogongrass rhizomes are thought to target the Bladder, the Stomach and the Lung. 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. The Stomach on the other hand is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the body fluids that nourish the body.
Use of cogongrass rhizomes (Bai Mao Gen) as food
Cogongrass rhizomes are also eaten as food.
