Phragmites karka Trin. ex Steud. ( Syn P. karka Retz. , P.
roxburghii(Kunth) Steud.; P. maxima Blatter & McCann in part.
Family Gramineae
Used Part Root
Distribution Area A tall reed, with thick creeping rhizome, found in marshy
places and along banks of lakes and streams throughout India, ascending up to 1,300 m. in the Himalayas.
Common Uses .The plant is sweet, acrid; cooling, aphrodisiac; useful in
biliousness, urinary troubles, vaginal and uterine complaints, erysipealas, heart diseases.
The root of this reed is regarded as cooling and diuretic by the Chinese. It is considered diuretic and diaphoretic in Spain.
P. karka is not discriminated from P. communis for
medicinal uses; the roots are reported to be used also for fractured bones Like P. communis, this reed is also employed for thatching and for making mats, baskets, chairs, fences, fish traps, etc. The culms are also used for hookah pipes, flutes, and pens; the panicles are used for brooms. The flowering stalks yield a fibre suitable for cordage
