Phragmites communis, the best herb to get rid of dry mouth

What is phragmites communis(Lu Gen)? Medicinally it refers to the fresh or dried rhizomes of Phragmites communis Trin., which is a plant in the family Gramineae. Other names of this herb include Cane, Common Reed, Flag Pole, Roseau Cane, Giant Reed, Reed Rhizome, Giant Reed grass, Rhizoma Phragmitis, Roseau, Yellow Cane, and so on. In China it is widely distributed throughout the country. For medicinal purpose it can be harvested all through the year. After the digging, it needs to remove buds, fibrous roots and membranous leaves. Usually it is used fresh or dried.

Phragmites is a tall perennial herb, which can grow to 1 to 3 meters. Stout underground stems grow transversely, with hollow internodes and buds on nodes. Stems are erect and hollow. Leaves are alternate and 2 rows; sheath is cylindrical and ligule is hairy; blades are flat, 15 to 45cm in length, 1 to 3.5cm in width, and with rough edges. Spica arrange into large panicles, which are apical, 20 to 40cm long, slightly drooping, and with white pubescence in the lower stem axillary. Flower is bisexual, with stamens 3, pistil 1, style 2, and pinnate stigma. Fruit is oval, with separated palea. Flowering and fruit time is from July to October. Phragmites communis habitat includes shore and shallow water of river and pond.

Phragmites communis health benefits
When it comes to quench your thirst and get rid of dry mouth, phragmites is truly one of the best herbs you should choose. Dry mouth refers to consciously insufficient fluid in mouth, which is one of important symptoms and signs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to make a differential diagnosis. The reason for dry mouth and thirst are twofold – weakened body resistance and excessive pathogen. No matter either of them causes this symptom, it always involves the pathological mechanism of insufficient yin. As a result, phragmites australis tea or extract can offer the relief to the dry mouth.

Sun Simiao, a famous pharmacologist in Tang Dynasty, ever formulated a really simple but effective herbal prescription called Mai Dong Lu Gen Tang (Ophiopogon and Carbohydrates Combination), which has impressive preventive and therapeutic effects on excessive sweating, dizziness, dry throat, annoy, and Constipation. And there were also clinical reports that ophiopogon and carbohydrates based formulas could significantly reduce a variety of symptoms after radiation treatment, including dry mouth, loss of appetite, inhibition of defecation and others.