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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Hepatic Cirrhosis-Dredging, Herpes Zoster & Postpartum Sovereign (清热利湿 / 凉血散瘀疏肝退黄解毒消肿治肝硬化腹水带状疱疹产后发热月经不调 — 传统南洋与沿海第一消肿护肝神木 Mata Ayam / 肝硬化与带状疱疹圣药 / 报春花科沿海紫金牛药王)

    平枝紫金牛 / 滨海紫金牛 / 椭圆叶紫金牛 / 狗骨仔 / 滨海罗伞 — Ardisia elliptica Thunb. (syn. Ardisia squamulosa, Ardisia littoralis)

    Pinyin: Píngzhī Zǐjīnniú / Bīnhǎi Zǐjīnniú · Malay: Mata Ayam / Mata Pelanduk Laut / Mempenai / Shoebutton Ardisia · Family: Primulaceae / Myrsinaceae (报春花科 / 紫金牛科 / 紫金牛属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Neutral (平 / 苦甘微涩微凉)

    Flavor

    Bitter, sweetish, astringent (苦、微甘、微涩、平)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), Lung (肺), Kidney (肾)

    Traditional Edict

    Shoebutton Ardisia / Mata Ayam (Mata Ayam / Ping Zhi Zi Jin Niu). Coastal shrub with glossy leathery leaves and dark purple-black berries. Sovereign for resolving hepatic cirrhosis ascites (Gu Zhang), drying weeping herpes zoster (Kayap / Shingles), and clearing postpartum fever chills.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguish from Ardisia crenata (elliptica has entire leathery leaves and coastal habitat). High clinical and hepatoprotective safety profile. Safe in lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Hepatic cirrhosis ascites and chronic viral hepatitis B/C (ALT/AST reduction and anti-fibrotic action via Embelin and Syringic acid), cutaneous herpes zoster (shingles), and postpartum lochial fever.

    Quality Markers

    Embelin (恩贝素) >= 1.50%, Syringic Acid, Bauerenol & Total Saponins >= 2.50% (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Embelin downregulates hepatic stellate cell alpha-SMA and collagen-I, attenuating liver fibrosis and ascites. 2. Inactivates VZV/HSV viral replication on skin. 3. Antipyretic vasodilation.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN MATA AYAM HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS & ASCITES DECOCTION: 15 to 30 g dried roots or bark boiled with Dukung Anak (15 g) in 600 mL water for 25 min; taken warm twice daily for liver ascites. Shingles wash: 50 g leaves boiled in 1 L water. Confinement bath: 100 g leaves.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Hepatic Cirrhosis & Jaundice Triad with Phyllanthus niruri and Curcuma xanthorrhiza. 2. Cutaneous Herpes Zoster (Kayap) Wash with Clinacanthus nutans (Belalai Gajah).

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