Utility plant Imperata cylindrica

Imperata cylindrica, known as the Red Baron or Cogon grass is a grass species in the genus Imperata, the family Poaceae. Plants in Indonesia called Reed has leaves about 2 cm wide at the base of the plant and narrows to a sharp point at the top, with scalloped edges are smooth and sharp silica berkristal. Its roots can reach up to 1.2 meters, but the length of 0.4 m is typical in sandy soil. This plant is widely available in southeast and east Asia, India, Micronesia, Australia and the eastern and southern Africa.

Cyclindrica Imperata leaves are used as traditional roofs in Papua New Guinea. In addition, this plant is widely grown for cover and soil stabilization in areas near the coast and other areas susceptible to erosion. In traditional Chinese garden, Imperata cylindrica was chosen as an ornamental plant, especially the red-leafed Red Baron (also known as Japanese blood grass). Other uses of Imperata cylindrica as a material including paper and woven into mats and bags. However, the most common use is the nature of the remedy for fever, diuretic, tonic and blood barrier. Flowers and young shoots are edible plants and roots contain starch and sugar so it is easy to chew.

Imperata cylindrica has antipyretic properties, which lowers the body temperature when you have a fever, but did not affect body temperature when you do not have a fever. Antipyretic properties causes the hypothalamus to override the interleukin-induced increase in temperature. The body then will work to lower the temperature and the result is a reduction of fever. This effect is like that produced by drugs such as aspirin and acetaminophen (paracetamol), which is used primarily as pain relievers. There is some debate about when it is appropriate to use antipyretics, because fever is part of the immune response to infection.