✵The article records the herb Reed Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—namely, the single plant species Phragmites communis (L.) Trin.—and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environment of this species, as well as the characteristics of the herb Reed Rhizome, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Rhizoma Phragmitis (Reed Rhizome)
Pinyin Name: Lú Gēn
English Name: Reed Rhizome
Latin Name:Rhizoma Phragmitis Properties and Flavor: Cold, sweet
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Phragmitis is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis (L.) Trin. It is used (1) to clear Heat and promote fluid production in cases of high fever with thirst; (2) to drain pus, especially in lung abscess; and (3) to arrest vomiting due to Stomach-Heat. The herb is commonly known as Rhizoma Phragmitis, Reed Rhizome, or Lú Gēn.
Botanical Source:Rhizoma Phragmitis (Reed Rhizome) is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis (L.) Trin., a plant of the genus Phragmites Adans., family Poaceae (grass family), order Poales.
Classical herbal works define Rhizoma Phragmitis (Reed Rhizome) as the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis (L.) Trin. This widely used species is described below:
(1) Phragmites communis (L.) Trin.
Botanical Description:Phragmites communis (L.) Trin., syn. Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin., is a perennial tall grass, commonly known as common reed. Plants reach 1–3 m in height. The rhizome is thick, creeping, and hollow at the nodes, bearing buds and adventitious roots. Stems are erect and hollow. Leaves are arranged in two vertical rows (distichous) and alternate; leaf sheaths are cylindrical and pilose; ligules are membranous and ciliate; leaf blades are flat, 15–45 cm long and 1–3.5 cm wide, with scabrous (rough) margins.
Inflorescences are large, terminal panicles, 20–40 cm long, slightly nodding; lower pedicels bear white pubescence. Spikelets contain 4–7 florets, 10–16 mm long (not cm). The first floret is usually staminate; glumes are lanceolate and unequal—the lower glume is approximately half the length of the upper glume, or shorter. The lower palea is longer than the upper palea and smooth. Perfect (bisexual) florets possess three stamens, one pistil, and two plumose stigmas. Caryopses are elliptic to oblong and free from the palea. Flowering and fruiting occur from July to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in shallow water along riverbanks, pond margins, and marshes.
Growth Characteristics:Phragmites communis (L.) Trin. prefers warm, humid climates and exhibits strong cold tolerance. It thrives best in deep, humus-rich soils, shallow aquatic habitats (e.g., rivers), or moist riparian and marshy areas.
Characteristics of the Herb: Fresh Reed Rhizome: The fresh rhizome is long-cylindrical, sometimes slightly flattened, variable in length, and 1–2 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-white and glossy; the outer bark is loose and easily peelable. Nodes are annular, bearing residual roots and bud scars. The herb is lightweight and tough, not easily broken. The fracture surface is yellowish-white, hollow, with wall thickness of 1–2 mm and small vascular bundles arranged in a ring. It is odorless and tastes sweet.
Dry Reed Rhizome: The dried rhizome is flattened-cylindrical. The surface is glossy and yellowish-white. The internodal segments are hard and reddish-yellow, with longitudinal wrinkles between nodes. The texture is lightweight, pliable, and tough. It is odorless and tastes mildly sweet.
Medicinal Efficacy: Clears Heat, generates fluids, alleviates restlessness, arrests vomiting, promotes urination, and facilitates eruption. It is indicated for febrile disorders with thirst, Stomach-Heat-induced nausea and vomiting, choking sensation, regurgitation, cough with Lung-Heat, lung abscess with purulent expectoration, atrophic lung conditions, pyretic stranguria, measles eruption, and pufferfish (fugu) poisoning.
Administration of Rhizoma Phragmitis (Lú Gēn):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Rhizoma Phragmitis (Lú Gēn)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 15–30 grams (dried); fresh herb: 30–60 g, or juice extracted and taken orally; (2) Internally: as a water decoction, 0.5–1 liǎng (≈15–30 grams, dried), or fresh herb 2–4 liǎng (≈60–120 grams), or juice extracted; (3) Internally: as a water decoction, 15–30 grams (dried), or fresh herb 60–120 grams, or juice extracted and taken orally; Externally: a propriate amount, wash with water decoction.
✵The article records the herb Reed Rhizome, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, botanical source—namely, the single plant species Phragmites communis (L.) Trin.—and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical characteristics, growth habits, and ecological environment of this species, as well as the characteristics of the herb Reed Rhizome, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Lú Gēn
Botanical Description: Phragmites communis (L.) Trin., syn. Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin., is a perennial tall grass, commonly known as common reed. Plants reach 1–3 m in height. The rhizome is thick, creeping, and hollow at the nodes, bearing buds and adventitious roots. Stems are erect and hollow. Leaves are arranged in two vertical rows (distichous) and alternate; leaf sheaths are cylindrical and pilose; ligules are membranous and ciliate; leaf blades are flat, 15–45 cm long and 1–3.5 cm wide, with scabrous (rough) margins.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in shallow water along riverbanks, pond margins, and marshes.
Characteristics of the Herb: Fresh Reed Rhizome: The fresh rhizome is long-cylindrical, sometimes slightly flattened, variable in length, and 1–2 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-white and glossy; the outer bark is loose and easily peelable. Nodes are annular, bearing residual roots and bud scars. The herb is lightweight and tough, not easily broken. The fracture surface is yellowish-white, hollow, with wall thickness of 1–2 mm and small vascular bundles arranged in a ring. It is odorless and tastes sweet.
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