lu gen

芦根·Rhizoma Phragmitis

Reed Rhizome

About lu gen

Lu Gen (芦根) is the rhizome of the common reed, recorded as Rhizoma Phragmitis. It is sweet in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Lung and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that drain Fire.

Names

Pinyinlu gen
Chinese芦根
Latin NameRhizoma Phragmitis
English NameReed Rhizome
Japaneserokon
Koreannogeun

Classification

Category
Drain Fire
Channels
Lung, Stomach
Flavour
Sweet
Temperature
Cold
Part used
Rhizome
Family
Gramineae
Species
Phragmites communis
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach, relieves irritability and generates Fluids

  • Internal Heat with high fever, irritability, thirst and a dry mouth and throat
  • Warm febrile disease with fever and thirst, protecting Fluids that Heat has begun to injure
  • Acute Lung Heat in particular
  • Lung abscess or carbuncle (Fei Yong): cough and chest pain, bringing up pus or sputum streaked with blood

Clears Stomach Heat, directs Stomach Qi down, relieves thirst and stops vomiting

  • Nausea and vomiting as Stomach Heat sends Qi upward

Clears Heat and promotes urination

  • Scanty dark urine or blood in the urine, especially with irritability and thirst

Vents rashes

  • Rashes from Wind-Heat, or in early Warm disease, that have not fully come out

Relieves food poisoning

  • Poisoning from eating fish or crab
  • Alcohol poisoning

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 15-30g; For promoting rashes: up to 60g; Tincture: 2-5ml15-30 g2-5 ml

Cautions