Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
老鼠簕 / 水老鼠簕 / 刺鼠尾 — Acanthus ilicifolius L. (and Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl)
Pinyin: Lǎoshǔlè / Shuǐ Lǎoshǔlè · Malay: Jeruju / Jeruju Hitam / Jeruju Putih · Family: Acanthaceae (爵床科)
Energetics
Cool to Cold (凉 / 微寒)
Flavor
Bitter, bland, slightly salty (苦、淡、微咸)
Meridians
Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Lung (肺)
Traditional Edict
Clears toxic heat, purges fire, dissolves phlegm nodules and softens hardness, dispels stasis to relieve pain. Sovereign mangrove herb for scrofula (Lili / 瘰疬), hepatomegaly, snakebites, and ulcers.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Beware of sharp foliar spines during harvesting. Contraindicated in Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold and severe anemia without heat-toxin.
Clinical Applications
- Malignant lymphoma adjuvant therapy, cervical lymphadenitis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis, and allergic asthma.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Benzoxazinoids (HBOA, DIBOA) block NF-kB p65, downregulate Bcl-2, and trigger Caspase-3/9 apoptosis in hepatoma and lung cancer cells. 2. Downregulates MMP-2, MMP-9, and bFGF, halting lymphatic metastasis and clearing swollen lymph nodes. 3. Protects hepatocytes against transaminase elevation.
Preparation & Dosage
Sliced dried woody stems and roots decocted 30-45 minutes: 15-30 g daily (up to 60 g in oncology regimens). Fresh spiny leaves pounded with rice wine as poultice for scrofula and snakebites.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. Lingnan Sovereign Lymphatic & Scrofula Formula with Prunella vulgaris (Xia Ku Cao) and Hedyotis diffusa. 2. Nanyang Anti-Hepatitis Synergy with Phyllanthus niruri and Curcuma xanthorrhiza.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only