What are the functions and benefits of Imperata root?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main functions and benefits of reed rhizome (Mao Gen) include clearing heat and promoting urination, cooling the blood to stop bleeding, promoting the production of body fluids to relieve thirst, alleviating sore throat, and assisting in reducing swelling. When consuming reed rhizome, fresh rhizomes can be washed and boiled for drinking or used in cold dishes, while dried rhizomes can be boiled directly for consumption. Due to its cold nature, individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold or those prone to diarrhea should avoid excessive consumption to prevent aggravating gastrointestinal discomfort.
Generally speaking, the main functions and benefits of Imperata root (Lophatherum gracile) include clearing heat and promoting urination, cooling blood to stop bleeding, promoting salivation to relieve thirst, alleviating sore throat, and assisting in reducing swelling. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Clearing Heat and Promoting Urination
Imperata root contains components such as mannitol and potassium salts and has a cold nature. It can promote water metabolism in the body, increase urine output, and help eliminate damp-heat. For conditions such as difficult urination, dark yellow and scanty urine, or edema, moderate consumption can assist in improving these symptoms by removing excess water and damp-heat through urination.
2. Cooling Blood and Stopping Bleeding
In traditional applications, Imperata root enters the lung, stomach, and bladder meridians and has the effect of cooling blood. For symptoms such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, hematuria caused by blood heat, moderate consumption can help stop bleeding by cooling the blood, alleviate bleeding conditions, and assist in managing hemorrhagic issues caused by excessive heat in the blood.
3. Promoting Salivation and Relieving Thirst
Imperata root contains various sugars and organic acids, which can stimulate saliva secretion and replenish body fluids. For symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, sore throat, and irritability caused by fluid depletion due to heat-related illnesses, moderate consumption can moisturize the mouth and throat, relieve thirst, and replenish necessary body fluids.
4. Alleviating Sore Throat
The cold nature of Imperata root can clear heat pathogens in the throat area, while its saliva-promoting effect moisturizes the throat mucosa. For conditions such as sore throat and hoarseness caused by wind-heat感冒 or excessive internal heat, moderate consumption can reduce inflammatory responses in the throat, relieve pain and discomfort, and help maintain a comfortable throat condition.
5. Assisting in Reducing Swelling
Through its function of clearing heat and promoting urination, Imperata root helps eliminate dampness from the body and reduces fluid accumulation. For body edema caused by stagnation of dampness, especially swelling in the lower limbs, moderate consumption can assist in alleviating edema symptoms and help restore the body's normal physical condition.
When consuming Imperata root, fresh roots can be washed and boiled for drinking water or eaten as a cold dish, while dried roots can be boiled directly for consumption. Due to its cold nature, individuals with cold deficiency syndrome of the spleen and stomach or those prone to diarrhea should avoid excessive consumption to prevent aggravating gastrointestinal discomfort. Pregnant women are advised to consult a healthcare professional before consumption to ensure safety.
