Lu Gen-Reed Rizoom-Rhizoma Phragmitis

Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome) is a sweet, cold herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that clears heat, generates fluids, promotes urination, and relieves toxicity. It is derived from the rhizome of the common reed plant (Phragmites communis) and is especially known for treating high fever, irritability, thirst, lung infections, and urinary discomfort. Lu Gen is commonly used in both respiratory and digestive disorders with heat and dryness, and is gentle enough for use in children.

Its juicy, cooling nature makes it ideal for febrile conditions, lung heat with thick phlegm, and stomach heat with vomiting.

Functies en voordelen

Clears Heat and Generates Fluids
• Alleviates thirst and dryness in febrile diseases
• Useful for high fever with irritability and dehydration
• Nourishes fluids in conditions of Lung or Stomach heat

Clears Lung Heat and Relieves Cough
• Treats cough with thick yellow sputum and chest congestion
• Reduces fever and promotes smoother breathing in pneumonia or bronchitis
• Helps soothe sore throat and dry cough from heat

Clears Stomach Heat and Stops Vomiting
• Used for nausea or vomiting due to stomach heat or Yin deficiency
• Effective in acute gastritis with foul breath and dry mouth
• Often combined with herbs that harmonize the Stomach

Promotes Urination and Vents Heat
• Treats dark, scanty, or painful urination due to heat in the Bladder
• Used in early stages of measles to vent heat and promote rash expression

Indicaties (wie kan er baat bij hebben?)
✔ Individuals with fever, dry mouth, and thirst during infections
✔ People with lung heat signs like cough with yellow sputum or pneumonia
✔ Children or adults with vomiting due to stomach heat
✔ Patients with dark or painful urination from damp-heat
✔ Those with febrile illness needing fluids and cooling

Diagnose van tong en pols in TCM
Tongue: Red with yellow or dry coating (indicating heat and dryness)
Pulse: Rapid and possibly floating or slippery (heat, phlegm, or fluid loss)

Verwante TCM-patronen
Lung Heat – Cough with yellow sputum, fever, chest oppression
Stomach Heat – Vomiting, thirst, bad breath, irritability
Yin Deficiency with Heat – Dry mouth, low-grade fever, thin body
Heat in the Bladder – Dark, painful urination
Febrile Disease – Thirst, irritability, dry tongue, high temperature

Klinische toepassingen (alleen ter referentie)
Bronchitis or Pneumonia – Reduces lung heat and thick sputum
Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning – Cools stomach and relieves vomiting
Febrile Illness in Children – Hydrates and clears heat without over-cooling
Urinary Tract Infections – Promotes urination and reduces bladder inflammation
Measles (Early Stage) – Helps vent heat and support eruption of rash

Common Herbal Formulas with Lu Gen
• Bai Hu Tang – For high fever, thirst, and sweating
• Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang – For lung heat and productive cough
• Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang – For lingering fever, irritability, and dryness
• Yin Qiao San (modified) – For early-stage Wind-Heat with sore throat and thirst
• Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang – For Yin-deficient patients with Wind-Heat invasion

Voorzorgsmaatregelen en contra-indicaties
Not suitable for cold or weak digestion—may cause loose stools
Use with caution in those with Spleen Qi deficiency or chronic diarrhea
Avoid in absence of heat signs, especially in children or elderly
Not typically used in large doses for long periods

Aanbevelingen voor levensstijl en dieet
✔ Stay well-hydrated during febrile or heat-related illness
✔ Eat cooling foods like watermelon, cucumber, and barley when appropriate
✔ Avoid greasy or spicy foods that generate internal heat
✔ Get adequate rest and avoid overheating during recovery from infection

Conclusie
Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome) is a cooling, fluid-generating herb ideal for clearing heat from the Lungs, Stomach, and Bladder. It is gentle yet effective for high fever, thirst, phlegmy cough, vomiting, and urinary discomfort. Its versatility and safety make it a common choice in both adult and pediatric heat-related conditions in TCM.