Imperata cylindrica
Botanical Nomenclature | Imperata cylindrica |
Common Name | Blady Grass, Cogon Grass, Japanese Bloodgrass, Kunai Grass |
Taxonomy- Family | Gramineae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Imperata cylindrica is a perennial, herbaceous plant growing from 30 to 180cm, with erect, lanceolate, red leaves and white or purple flowers in inflorescences. It is a grass which needs large quantities of water and usually grows on wet lands. The flowering and the harvesting take place from August to September. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves, root, flowers |
Active Substances | Lignans, glycosides, carbohydrates, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, scopoletin, catechol, chlorogenic acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, citric acid, metals (potassium, calcium), flavonoids, isoflavones, phenols, triterpenoids, ethers |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The herbal tea has antibacterial, antiseptic, emollient, antipyretic and anthelmintic properties. It is recommended for the treatment of urinary tract's infections, fever, bleeding (especially of nosebleed), haemoptysis, haematuria, edema, jaundice, dyspepsia, diarrhea and dysentery. The herbal extract has antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus dysenteriae, while several studies are conducted to prove its antiviral and antitumor action. In folk medicine, mainly in Asian countries, it is used as diuretic, hemostatic and inflammatory. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as antiseptic, antibacterial, hemostatic and emollient in the form of herbal tea (one or two spoons of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, 2-3 times a day). It is usually used as ingredient in natural cosmetics due to its antiseptic and moisturizing action. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects have been reported. |
References | 1)http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Imperata_cylindrica 2)http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/i/imperata-cylindrica=cogongrass.php 3)http://www.stuartxchange.com/Kogon.html 4)http://www.prota4u.org/protav8.asp?p=Imperata+cylindrica 5)http://herb-drugs.blogspot.in/2011/02/imperata-cylindrica.html 6)http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Imperata_cylindrica_(Cogon_Grass).htm |