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Mao Gen (Imperatae Rhizoma)
Sweet in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily treats emaciation and weakness caused by labor injury; tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi; eliminates blood stasis and blood obstruction; resolves alternating chills and fever; promotes urination; treats five types of Lin syndrome (dysuria with various characteristics); clears pathogenic heat in the stomach and intestines; relieves thirst; strengthens sinews and bones; treats metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding) in women. Long-term consumption is beneficial to the human body. Its seedlings primarily promote water passage. Also known as Lan Gen (Orchid Root), Ru Gen (Root of Ru), Di Jian (Earth Sedge), Di Jin (Earth Sinew), and Jian Du. Grows in valleys and fields in the Chu region. Roots are harvested in June.

Tao Hongjing states: This is the current Bai Mao Jian (White Imperata Sedge). The *Classic of Poetry* says: "Dew on the sedge and grass," its root resembles Zha Qin (a type of vegetable), sweet and delicious. Consuming it is very effective for grain-abstention practices. It is rarely used in common prescriptions, only for treating Lin syndrome and metrorrhagia. The *Tang Bencao* annotation notes: Hua Jian (Flower of Sedge), sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. Treats epistaxis (nosebleed), hematemesis (vomiting blood), and moxibustion sores. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to *Yao Xing Lun*, state: Bai Mao (White Imperata), as a minister herb, can break blood stasis and treat Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome). The root cures the five types of Lin syndrome; decoct and drink the juice. Chen Cangqi states: Mao Zhen (Mao Shoot), sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Treats malignant sores and swelling; for those not yet ulcerated, boil and consume. Ingesting one shoot corresponds to one pore, two shoots to two pores. Apply raw Mao Zhen externally to metal weapon wounds to stop bleeding. Boil and consume to treat epistaxis and sudden lower hemorrhage. Those with white flowers have the same efficacy. The shoot is also called Mao Sun (Mao Bamboo Shoot). He further states: Roof thatch treats sudden hematemesis. Finely chop three sheng, soak in wine, boil, and consume one sheng. Rotten thatch from the roof, mixed with soy sauce paste and applied topically, treats ban chuang (spotted sores) and can nie chuang (insect-bite sores). Also known as Bai Zu Chong (Hundred-foot Worm). Water dripping from a thatched roof kills Yun Mu Du (mica toxicity). Ri Huazi states: Mao Zhen is cooling. Unblocks the Small Intestine; treats yong du (carbuncle toxins) and ruan jie (soft boils) without heads; decoct strongly and take with wine. Flowers treat knife and arrow wounds, stopping bleeding and pain. The root treats irregular menstruation in women. He further states: Mao Gen unblocks blood vessels and dribbling discharge; this refers to the white-flowered Mao Gen. He further states: Thatch from the four corners of the house is neutral in nature and non-toxic. Treats nasal hemorrhage.

The *Tu Jing* states: Mao Gen grows in valleys and fields in the Chu region and is now found everywhere. Seedlings emerge in spring, spreading on the ground like needles; commonly called Mao Zhen, which is edible and very beneficial for children. White, fluffy flowers appear in summer, and the plant withers in autumn. The roots are extremely white and sweet; harvested in June. Currently, people use Mao Zhen externally for metal weapon wounds, pack it into the nose to stop hemorrhage, and treat sudden lower hemorrhage and hematuria with remarkable effect. Liu Yuxi's *Chuan Xin Fang*: To treat suppurating carbuncles with heads, one must ensure drainage through specific points. Take one whole Mao Zhui (Mao cone/shoot), decoct fully for about ten boils, and consume; it will immediately cause suppuration and rupture. If two shoots are taken, two pores form; or if one shoot is broken into two, two pores also form. Bai Mao Hua (White Imperata Flower) also treats metal weapon wounds and stops bleeding. There is also Jian, which is a type of Imperata. Lu Ji's *Cao Mu Shu* states: Jian resembles Mao but is smooth and hairless; within five cun below the root, there is white powder; it is flexible and tough, suitable for making ropes, especially after retting. Unretted ones are called Ye Jian (Wild Jian). What the *Classic of Poetry* calls "Bai Mao Jian Xi" is this plant. Used medicinally, it is equivalent to Mao. Thatch from roofs that has been used for a long time treats sudden hematemesis. Finely chop three sheng, soak in wine, boil, and consume one sheng; it is effective until recovery. *Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang*: Treats heat syndromes. Take four sheng of Bai Mao Gen, chop them, add one dou five sheng of water, decoct to obtain five sheng, drink at a comfortable temperature, three times a day. Another prescription: For bamboo or wood splinters stuck in the flesh. Burn Bai Mao Gen to ash, mix with animal fat/grease, and apply topically. It also treats swelling caused by wind pathogens.