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Pharmaceutical name:
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Rhizonma imperatae cylindricae
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Latin botanical name:
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Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv.var. major (Nees) c. E. Hubb.
Agropyrum repens P. Beauv.
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Pron. in Japanese:
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bokon
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Pron. in Korean:
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mogun, pakmogun
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Pron. in Cantonese:
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mao kan, bak mao kan
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Common Name:
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imperata, rhizome of wooly grass
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Distribution:
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throughout china and Southeast Asia
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Properties (characteristics)﹕
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sweet, cold
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Channels (meridians) entered:
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lung, stomach, small intestine, bladder
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Actions & Indications:
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cools the blood and stops bleeding; quells heat and promotes urination, clears heat from stomach and lungs
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Medical Function:
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(1). stops bleeding (2). anti bacteria and anti virus. (3). promotes urination, especially during 5~10 days while taking the herb. It can be due to the potassium salt in the herb.
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Chemical ingredients:
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glucose 6.8%; cane sugar, fructose, and starch 21%, potassium salt, oxalic acid, carotene, vitamins, and anemonin.
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Dosage:
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9 to 24 g. Using by itself, up to 60 g.
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Samples of formulae:
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For hemorrhagic fever
Formula 1: bai mao gen, da huang mang xiao, zhi shi tao ren sheng di huang , mai dong mu tong
Fornula 2: bai mao gen 150 g, dan shen 20 g, lu gen 30 g, huang bai 10 g, pei lan 15 g, dan pi 10 g. Adjust the formula according to the syndrome.
For Cancer of the digestive track:
bai mao gen 10 g, bai hua she she cao 10 g. Boil with water. Use as tea.
For periodontitis: click here for formula.
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Modern Research:
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to be uploaded
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Cautions:
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Not to use in cases of pixu (spleen deficient) or shenyangxu (kidney yang deficient) conditions.
Use care if blood pressure is low because of its diuretic effect.
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Imperata cylindrica rhizome (Cogon grass, Bai mao gen)
Cogon grass is a persistent rhizomatous perennial grass widely distributed across temperate‑subtropical zones of east‑Asia. Upright slender stalks bear stiff linear leaves, and dense silvery‑white fluffy
flower heads rise above foliage in late spring. Its thick, segmented white creeping rhizomes, known traditionally as Bai mao gen, hold notable value within regional herbal practices. This hardy grass performs well for slope stabilization, open‑ground restoration and botanical reference collections. Rhizome division provides the most reliable way to multiply planting stock for small‑scale cultivation projects.
Vegetative propagation using rhizome material brings distinct practical advantages for cogon‑grass growing. Rhizome‑derived plants produce vigorous, fast‑establishing underground networks that anchor securely on sandy or disturbed soils. Rhizome‑based propagation skips slow
seed‑germination phases and yields true‑to‑form plants with consistent growth behaviour. Well‑selected rhizome fragments deliver robust new shoots that adapt quickly to sunny open‑air growing conditions.
Healthy rhizome material is harvested during dormant early‑autumn or early‑spring periods. Harvested rhizomes are cleaned of soil and dead fibrous residues. Rhizomes are cut into short segmented pieces, each carrying several intact growth nodes. These nodal sections hold abundant latent buds ready to push fresh shoots once placed into suitable growing surroundings. No cold stratification treatment is required for rhizome fragments.
Lay prepared rhizome segments horizontally into loosened, freely draining nursery soil. Cover rhizome pieces with a thin moderate layer of top substrate. Full open sunlight matches the plant’s native habitat. Maintain steady gentle soil moisture while avoiding water‑saturated ground. Under suitable mild temperatures, fresh green shoots emerge energetically from rhizome nodes within a short timeframe.
Young cogon‑grass shoots expand narrow linear leaves and spread new rhizome runners steadily. Keep growing medium evenly moist during early establishment. Developed clumps transplant easily during cool dormant weather windows. Once settled in permanent sunny sites, these rhizome‑raised plants build extensive spreading colonies. Mature plants produce characteristic silvery fluffy spring flower spikes. Vigorous underground rhizome systems help stabilise loose surface soil, delivering functional landscape value for natural‑style planting arrangements.
