Lú Gēn · Reed Rhizome
Lú Gēn (芦根, Reed Rhizome) is a herb of Cold nature and Sweet flavor, in the “Heat Clearing” category. Tradition uses it to clear heat and generate fluids, Relieve thirst and stop vomiting, Promover la diuresis y expeler el pus.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Lú Gēn
- Characters
- 芦根
- Botanical name
- Phragmites communis Trin.
- Family
- Poaceae
- Part used
- Rhizome
- Nature
- Cold
- Flavor
- Sweet
- Meridians
- Lung, Stomach
- Category
- Heat Clearing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- No contraindication described (always consult)
- Origin
- China, Europe, North America
Actions according to tradition
- Clear heat and generate fluids
- Relieve thirst and stop vomiting
- Promover la diuresis y expeler el pus
Traditional uses
- Intense thirst and high fever (Wen Bing, febrile illnesses)
- Vomiting due to heat in the Stomach
- Lung abscess with productive cough and pus
- Dysuria and hematuria due to heat-dampness in the bladder
- Crayfish and shellfish poisoning (classic)
Studied effects and current applications
- Generates fluids and relieves thirst by heat of the Lung and Stomach
- Stops vomiting by calming rebellious Stomach Qi due to heat
- Drains pus from lung abscess
- Promotes diuresis and drains heat from the Lower Jiao
- Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic
Applications under investigation
- Pneumonia and lung abscess
- Fever in infectious diseases
- Post-chemotherapy nausea
- Infecciones urinarias
- Flu and cold with heat
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Spleen deficiency with diarrhea due to cold
- Vomiting due to cold stomach without heat
Relative contraindications
- Cold pattern without internal heat
- Pregnancy
- Safe during pregnancy for heat and vomiting.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Safe for children with fever and respiratory infections.
- Older adults
- Useful for elderly people with respiratory infections and fever. Caution with cold Spleen.
Possible adverse effects
- Mild diarrhea due to excessive cold nature
When to stop
- Cold diarrhea appears
- Infection resolved
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diuretics | Furosemida | Mild | Mild additive diuretic effect Monitor hydration and electrolytes. |
With other herbs
- tian_hua_fen Synergy to generate fluids and cleanse the heat of the Lung and Stomach
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 15-30 g daily (fresh: 60-120g)
- Fresh juice
- 60-120ml fresh juice daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks
- Maximum
- Prolonged use with caution due to cold nature
- Children
- Safe for children with fever and respiratory infections.
Forms of preparation
Boil 15-30g (dried) or 60-120g (fresh) in 4 cups of water for 20-30 min. Drink cold or at room temperature.
Fever, heat vomiting, lung abscess
Press the juice from the fresh reed rhizome. Take 60-120ml diluted. Especially effective for vomiting and thirst.
Acute vomiting due to stomach heat, intense thirst
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Polysaccharides, flavonoids (vitexin, orientin) and triterpenes
Fructooligopolysaccharides · Antipyretic, fluid generator, anti-inflammatory
Modulation of proinflammatory cytokines, stimulation of mucosal secretion · 10-25% in rhizome
Flavonoids · Antipyretic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective
COX-2 inhibition, free radical scavenging · 0.1-0.5%
Phenolic acids · Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
NF-κB inhibition, free radical scavenging · 0.05-0.2%
Pentacyclic triterpenes · Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibition · 0.1-0.3%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- spring and summer
Fresh or dried rhizomes of Phragmites communis. They are harvested in spring-summer. Fresh rhizomes have greater fluid-generating action.
Fresh rhizome cut into pieces, used in decoction or juice.
Fresh rhizome cut into 3-5 cm pieces and dried in the sun.
Formulas it appears in
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.
