Arundo donax – cut root

Native to Eurasia but naturalized in many temperate regions, Arundo donax is a large perennial grass. Its root is harvested in winter, dried, and then cut. It is of great interest in traditional natural practices, both for well-being and for artisanal uses.

Description

Fibrous root fragments, light brown to beige in color. Light, earthy odor. Dry, brittle texture.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Provençal reed, giant reed, common reed
• Latin name: Arundo donax
• Family: Poaceae (Grasses)
• Part used: Root
• Form: Cut, dried
• Origin: Southern Europe, Western Asia
• English name: Giant reed root
• Name in German: Riesenschilf-Wurzel
• Name in Spanish: Raíz de caña común
• Name in Italian: Radice di canna
• Name in Arabic: جذر القصب العملاق (Jadhir al-Qasab al-ʿImlāq)

Main virtues

Traditionally, cane root is used for its gentle draining and purifying effects. It is also used in homemade cosmetics, particularly in natural hair masks and cleansing steam baths. It also finds its place in artisanal compositions for its fibrous and structuring properties.

Main constituents

Saponins, polysaccharides, phenolic acids, plant fibers, mineral salts.

Use and dosage

• Decoction: 1 tablespoon for 500 ml of water, boil for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Cosmetic: decoction used as hair lotion or purifying rinse water.
• Crafts: fibers used to create natural objects or plant structures.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Do not use if you have a known grass allergy.
• Not recommended for children or pregnant women without specialist advice.
• For processing only, not edible without proper preparation.

History and origin

Used since ancient times in the Mediterranean basin for the manufacture of flutes, reed screens, and woven objects, giant cane is also mentioned in traditional pharmacopoeias for its roots. It remains appreciated today for its versatile properties in the fields of well-being and eco-construction.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: away from light and humidity.
• Packaging: kraft bag, metal box or jar.
• Appearance: dry shavings of fibrous root.
• Smell: Light, vegetal and earthy.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Mediterranean popular flora
• Corpus of artisanal ethnobotany
• Resources on Utility Grasses

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

Disclaimer

The Apophycaire brand, the aromacentre.fr website, and SAS LPBE disclaim all liability for the use of the information on this site. Each individual is responsible for the use of these products and must ensure that their use is appropriate for their health.