The source is from the entire plant of a perennial herb, Lophatherum gracile Brongn, family Gramineae, and its producing areas are mainly in the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan, and Hubei, etc.. The medicinal material is collected in summer, dried in the sun and the crude herb is cut into segments for medication. Medicinal Properties Sweet and bland in flavor, cold in nature and attributive to the heart, stomach and small intestine meridians. Actions Clear away heat to relieve restlessness, clear away heart-fire and promote diuresis. Application 1. It is used for febrile diseases with dysphoria and thirst, since it can clear away fire and heat from the heart meridian, and relieve restlessness and thirst. It is often combined with Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum ), Lugen (Rhizoma Phragmitis ) , etc.. 2. It is used for excessive heart-fire and heat involved in the small intestine manifested as tongue sore, dysuria, edema and oligria. It is combined with Huashi (Talcum), Baimaogen ( Rhizoma Imperatae ), and Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae ) , etc.. Usago and Dosage 6 - 9 g is used in decoction for oral use.
