What are the functions and benefits of Imperata root?
Sep 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, as a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, Rhizoma Imperatae (Mao Gen) has functions and effects mainly including cooling the blood to stop bleeding, clearing heat to promote diuresis, promoting the production of body fluid to relieve thirst, alleviating damp-heat jaundice, and improving cough caused by lung heat. When using Rhizoma Imperatae, one should be aware that it has a cold property and taste, and is therefore contraindicated for individuals with deficiency-cold syndromes of the spleen and stomach or without excess heat symptoms. Additionally, the dosage and decoction method should be controlled according to a physician's instructions to avoid long-term or excessive use.
Generally, as a common traditional Chinese herb, Imperata root (Mao Gen) has several main functions and benefits, including cooling the blood to stop bleeding, clearing heat to promote urination, promoting body fluid production to relieve thirst, alleviating damp-heat jaundice, and improving cough caused by lung heat. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Cooling the Blood to Stop Bleeding: Imperata root has a sweet and cold nature, enters the blood system, and clears blood heat. It is suitable for bleeding symptoms caused by excessive blood heat, such as hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, and hemafecia. By cooling the blood and clearing heat, it reduces irritation to blood vessels, helps stop bleeding, and alleviates discomfort caused by bleeding.
2. Clearing Heat and Promoting Urination: Imperata root clears damp-heat from the lower jiao, promotes urine production and excretion, and is suitable for symptoms such as difficult urination, scanty urine, painful urination, or edema. By increasing urine output, it removes excess damp-heat from the body, reduces accumulation of dampness and heat in the urinary system, and improves urinary difficulties.
3. Promoting Body Fluid Production and Relieving Thirst: With its sweet and cold nature, Imperata root generates body fluids and moistens the mouth and throat. It is suitable for symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, sore throat, and irritability caused by injury to body fluids due to heat illness. By replenishing body fluids, it alleviates dryness and discomfort caused by fluid depletion and restores moisture in the oral cavity.
4. Alleviating Damp-Heat Jaundice: For jaundice caused by accumulation of damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, which manifests as yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark yellow urine, abdominal distension, and other symptoms, Imperata root can clear internal heat and dampness, promote the elimination of damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder, reduce the severity of jaundice, and assist in improving liver and gallbladder function.
5. Improving Cough Due to Lung Heat: Imperata root clears heat from the lungs and moistens lung dryness. It is suitable for cough, yellow and thick phlegm, dry and itchy throat caused by lung heat or lung dryness. By clearing lung heat and moistening lung dryness, it reduces inflammatory irritation in the lungs and alleviates cough and phlegm symptoms.
When using Imperata root, it is important to note that its nature is cold, and it is contraindicated for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold or without excess heat syndromes. Additionally, usage should follow medical advice regarding dosage and decoction methods to avoid long-term or excessive use, ensuring safe and effective medication.
