What is Phragmites australis

Reed root is a traditional Chinese medicine, and its use has been recorded in ancient medical books. Reed roots are commonly found in rivers or streams, and their coverage area across the country is relatively high. Traditional Chinese medicine generally uses it quite frequently, so it is very common. Its main functions are clearing away heat and relieving cough. These symptoms are very common in daily life, so you can often see reed root.

There are mainly two types of reed roots: fresh reed roots and dried reed roots. As the name suggests, the fresh ones are those containing moisture, while the dry ones are reed roots that have been dried out of the moisture. The dry reed root obviously presents a dry and flat shape. In Chinese medicine stores, you can often see dried reed root as a medicine, which is closely related to its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties.

Reed root was first recorded in "Bielu" and listed as a low-grade product. The New Compilation of Materia Medica says: "It grows in wetlands. Its stems and leaves are like bamboo, and its flowers are like reed flowers. The roots are collected in February and August and dried in the sun for use." The Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica says: "The roots of reeds were not recorded in the states where they were grown in the past, but they are now found everywhere. They grow in wet ponds and marshes. They are similar in shape to bamboo, but their leaves grow around the stems, and they have no branches. The flowers are white and in spikes, like thatch flowers. The roots are also like bamboo roots, but the nodes are sparse."

Fresh reed root

Live water reed root. It is long cylindrical or flat cylindrical, of varying lengths, with a diameter of about 1.5 cm. The surface is yellowish-white and shiny, with a pointed tip similar to a bamboo shoot, green or yellowish-green. The whole plant has nodes, each internode is 10 to 17 cm long, and there are residual fibrous roots and bud scars on the nodes. It is light and tough, not easy to break. The cross section is yellowish-white, hollow, with a wall thickness of about 1.5 mm. Tiny pores arranged in a ring can be seen, and the outer skin is loose and can be peeled off. No smell, sweet taste.

Dried reed root

It is in the shape of a flattened long cylinder. The surface is shiny, yellow-white, the nodes are hard, reddish-yellow, and there are longitudinal wrinkles between the nodes. It is light and flexible, not easy to break, has no odor, and tastes slightly sweet. The best ones are those with thick, yellow-white, shiny, rootless and tender texture.

Pharmacological action: This product has antipyretic, sedative, analgesic, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, antioxidant and estrogen-like effects. It has an inhibitory effect on β-hemolytic streptococci. The coixol contained in it has an inhibitory effect on skeletal muscle, and the alfalfa has a relaxant effect on the intestine.

I believe that through the introduction of reed root in this article, you will have some understanding of the morphology and medicinal effects of reed root. Although this medicine looks simple, it can treat common colds in daily life. Therefore, if patients need it, they can boil it into water and drink it to relieve the symptoms. However, due to the cold nature of reed root, patients with cold spleen should not drink it.