Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Rhizoma phragmitis: A Narrative Review

Rhizoma phragmitis is a common Chinese herbal medicine whose effects are defined as 'clearing heat and fire, promoting fluid production to quench thirst, eliminating irritability, stopping vomiting, and disinhibiting urine'. During the Novel Coronavirus epidemic in 2020, the Weijing Decoction and Wuye Lugen Decoction, with Rhizoma phragmitis as the main herbal component, were included in The Pneumonia Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Infection (Trial Version 5) due to remarkable antiviral effects. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Rhizoma phragmitis has antiviral, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hypoglycemic functions, lowers blood lipids and protects the liver and kidney. This review aims to provide a systematic summary of the botany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Rhizoma phragmitis.

Automated summary

This review provides a systematic summary of the botany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Rhizoma phragmitis. Research has shown that Rhizoma phragmitis has antiviral, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hypoglycemic functions, while also lowering blood lipids and protecting the liver and kidney. During the Novel Coronavirus epidemic, Rhizoma phragmitis was included in the treatment protocol, demonstrating significant antiviral effects.