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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Hepatoprotective Jaundice-Draining, Antiviral & Antipyretic Monarch (清热解毒 / 利湿退黄凉血消肿保肝利胆清肺止咳散瘀止痛治急性病毒性肝炎湿热黄疸高热惊厥咽喉肿痛蛇虫咬伤 — 传统南洋热带第一刺苞穿心莲 / 假穿心莲 / 病毒性肝炎与高热惊厥圣草 / 爵床科强效黄酮药王)

    刺苞穿心莲 / 假穿心莲 / 针苞穿心莲 / 齿苞穿心莲 / 苦草同属 — Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees (syn. Indoneesiella echioides, Justicia echioides)

    Pinyin: Cìbāo Chuānxīnlián / Jiǎ Chuānxīnlián · Malay: Hempedu Bumi Bukit / Rumput Ular / Hempedu Kucing / False King of Bitters · Family: Acanthaceae (爵床科 / 穿心莲属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold (大寒 / 苦寒纯阴)

    Flavor

    Overwhelmingly bitter, cold, slightly pungent (大苦、大寒、微辛、极苦回甘)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Gallbladder (胆), Lung (肺), Stomach (胃)

    Traditional Edict

    False King of Bitters (Hempedu Bumi Bukit / Ci Bao Chuan Xin Lian). Bristly glandular stems with 2-lipped purple-striped white flowers. Master Flavone Hepatoprotective Sovereign: unique 2'-oxygenated flavones (Echioidinin) shield hepatocytes from viral/toxic damage, drain jaundice, quench fevers.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguish from Andrographis paniculata (echioides has hispid bristly stems and flavone chemistry). CONTRAINDICATED in active pregnancy for high doses. Safe during lactation in standard doses.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute and chronic viral hepatitis (transaminase ALT/AST suppression and anti-HBV activity via Echioidinin), chemical hepatotoxicity (paracetamol/alcohol damage), acute tonsillitis, and snakebite envenomation.

    Quality Markers

    Echioidinin (刺苞穿心莲素) >= 1.20%, Echioidin >= 0.80% & Skullcapflavone I (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Echioidinin upregulates hepatic SOD, catalase, and glutathione (GSH), lowering transaminases by >75%. 2. Echioidin blocks NF-kB p65 translocation to cool high fever spikes. 3. Antiviral envelope inhibition.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN HEMPEDU BUMI BUKIT HEPATOPROTECTIVE DECOCTION: 10 to 15 g dried whole herb boiled with Dukung Anak (15 g) and Temulawak in 600 mL water for 20 min; taken warm twice daily for 14 days (lowers elevated ALT/AST). Snakebite poultice: 30 g fresh leaves pounded.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Viral Hepatitis & Jaundice Triad with Phyllanthus niruri (Dukung Anak) and Kunyit. 2. Acute Purulent Tonsillitis Draught with Isatis indigotica (Ban Lan Gen).

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    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only