Bái Máo Gēn (白茅根) — Woolly grass rhizome / Cogon grass root
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Bái Máo Gēn (白茅根) — Imperata cylindrica — is known in English as Woolly grass rhizome / Cogon grass root. It belongs to the category of Herbs that stop bleeding in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Bái Máo Gēn as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Bái Máo Gēn |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 白茅根 |
| Latin name | Imperata cylindrica |
| English name | Woolly grass rhizome / Cogon grass root |
| Nature | cold |
| Flavour | sweet |
| Channels entered | Lung, Stomach, Bladder |
| Category | Herbs that stop bleeding |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Cools Blood and stops bleeding from Heat in the Blood
- Clears Heat and promotes urination — the most important herb for urinary bleeding from Heat
- Clears Stomach Heat and stops vomiting
- Clears Lung Heat and stops cough
Indications
- Haematuria (blood in urine) from Heat in the Bladder — the primary herb
- Urinary tract infections with urgency, burning and haematuria
- Nosebleed and haemoptysis from Lung and Stomach Heat
- Oedema and urinary difficulty from Heat
- Febrile disease with thirst from Heat damaging Body Fluids
4. Key formulas containing Bái Máo Gēn
Bái Máo Gēn is frequently used as a single-herb treatment or incorporated into individualised prescriptions tailored to the patient’s specific TCM pattern.
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Imperata cylindrica (Bai Mao Gen) is one of the most important single herbs for haematuria and urinary tract conditions from Heat in Chinese medicine. Key bioactive constituents include cylindrin, arundoin, fernenol, coixol, organic acids and potassium salts. Research confirms significant diuretic effects, anti-inflammatory activity, haemostatic properties (promoting platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction), antibacterial effects relevant to UTI pathogens, and antifungal activity. The high potassium content contributes to the diuretic action. Clinical research confirms Bai Mao Gen-based formulas are superior to standard treatment alone for IgA nephropathy with haematuria.
6. Cautions and contraindications
Avoid in Cold and deficiency patterns. Avoid in patients with urinary frequency from Kidney Yang deficiency. Generally very safe.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Bái Máo Gēn as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Urinary tract infections. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
