1. Description
Carex kobomugi (also known as Japanese sedge or Asiatic sand sedge, Chinese Pinyin: Sha Zuan Tai Cao, Simplified Chinese: 砂钻苔草), is a species of low-growing, perennial, flowering sedge with long and wide leaves in genus Carex in the sedges family, Cyperaceae. Habitats of Carex kobomugi include sandbeach, sand dunes and other sandy sites along the coast in China including Taiwan Province, Japan and the Korean Pininsula. The plant can grow up to 20 cm tall. Characteristics of Carex kobomugi include adaptation to sandy land and tolerance for drought and flooding. The seeds of Carex kobomugi is used as spleen tonic and antiemetic (a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea) in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as nausea and indigestion.
Other simplified Chinese names for Carex kobomugi include: 筛草, 砂贡于, 海淡母, 师实, 自然谷, 禹余粮, 师草实, 海米, 砂贡子.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels
The seed of Carex kobomugi is considered to have sweet, neutral properties and to be associated with the spleen and stomach meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Carex Kobomugi & Medical Formulas
3.1 Tonifying Qi (Vital Energy)
The seed of Carex kobomugi can be used for food to tonify qi (vital energy) and the spleen.
3.2 Antiemetic
A decoction of Carex kobomugi seeds and other herbs is taken orally to treat vomiting and nausea.
4. Research And Studies
The seeds of Carex kobomugi contain starch (7%); the rhizome contains kobophenol A, oligostilbene, miyabenol C, ε-viniferin.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.