Bái Máo Gēn · Woolly Grass Rhizome
Bái Máo Gēn (白茅根, Woolly Grass Rhizome) is a herb of Cold nature and Sweet flavor, in the “Heat Clearing” category. Tradition uses it to cool blood and stop bleeding, Clear heat and promote diuresis, Generate fluids and relieve thirst.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Bái Máo Gēn
- Characters
- 白茅根
- Botanical name
- Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.
- Family
- Poaceae
- Part used
- Rhizome
- Nature
- Cold
- Flavor
- Sweet
- Meridians
- Heart, Lung, Stomach, Bladder
- Category
- Heat Clearing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- No contraindication described (always consult)
- Origin
- China, Japan, Southeast Asia
Actions according to tradition
- Cool blood and stop bleeding
- Clear heat and promote diuresis
- Generate fluids and relieve thirst
Traditional uses
- Epistaxis, hemoptysis and hematuria due to heat in the blood
- Edema and jaundice due to damp-heat
- Dysuria and hematuria due to heat in the bladder
- Intense thirst due to stomach heat or damage to fluids
- Nausea and vomiting due to stomach heat with dryness
Studied effects and current applications
- Cools heat in blood and stops epistaxis, hemoptysis and hematuria
- Promotes diuresis and drains heat-dampness from the Lower Jiao
- Generates fluids relieving thirst and throat dryness due to heat
- Clears the heat of the Lung and Stomach
- Anti-inflammatory and mild hemostatic
Applications under investigation
- Urinary tract infections with hematuria
- Hepatitis y nefritis
- Hypertension with heat signs
- Hemorragias por infecciones agudas
- Edema renal
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Cold pattern without heat in blood
- Spleen deficiency with diarrhea due to cold
Relative contraindications
- Hypotension
- Cold-deficiency bleeding without heat
- Pregnancy
- Generally safe during pregnancy for heat bleeding.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Safe for children with minor bleeding and urinary tract infections.
- Older adults
- Useful for the elderly with urinary infections with hematuria and epistaxis.
Possible adverse effects
- Mild diarrhea due to cold nature
- Increased diuresis
When to stop
- Cold diarrhea appears
- Cold pattern worsens
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diuretics | Furosemida, Hidroclorotiazida | Moderate | Additive diuretic effect - risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance Monitor hydration and electrolytes. |
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin | Mild | May slightly affect coagulation Monitorizar INR. |
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 9-30 g daily
- Fresh juice
- 30-60ml fresh juice daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks
- Maximum
- Prolonged use with caution (very cold)
- Children
- Safe for children with minor bleeding or urinary tract infections.
Forms of preparation
Boil 9-30g in 4 cups of water for 20-30 min. Drink at room temperature or cold for heat conditions.
Hemorrhages, thirst due to heat, dysuria
Press 30-60ml of juice from the fresh root. Dilute with water. Drink cold.
Acute hemorrhage, intense heat, urgent thirst
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Polysaccharides, triterpenes and saccharin
Fructooligopolysaccharides · Hemostatic, diuretic, mucosal regenerator
Stimulation of coagulation factor synthesis, increased glomerular filtration · 15-30% in rhizome
Cyclitol · Diuretic, antipyretic
Inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the renal tubule · 0.5-1.5%
Pentacyclic triterpenes · Anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective
NF-κB and COX-2 inhibition · 0.1-0.3%
Phenolic acids · Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Free radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition · 0.05-0.15%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Spring (March-May), before flowering
Rhizomes and roots harvested in early spring. They are cleaned, pods and fine roots removed, and dried in the sun. The spring harvest concentrates saccharin and polysaccharides.
Rhizome washed, cut into 3-5 cm segments and dried in the sun. It can be used fresh in decoction for acute bleeding.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
