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    Extreme-Bitter Heat-Clearing & Throat-Astringent Sovereign (清热解毒 / 利湿消肿凉血收敛止痒抗炎药)

    黑面神 / 鬼画符 / 暗花木 / 钟馗草 — Breynia fruticosa (L.) Müll.Arg.

    Pinyin: Hēimiànshén / Guǐhuàfú · Malay: Pokok Gambir Hutan / Gambir Payo / Pokok Daun Hitam · Family: Phyllanthaceae (叶下珠科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold (寒), Mildly Toxic (有小毒)

    Flavor

    Bitter, astringent, slightly sweet (苦、涩、微甘)

    Meridians

    Large Intestine (大肠), Liver (肝), Lung (肺)

    Traditional Edict

    Black-Faced God. Leaves turn pitch-black upon drying. Clears toxic heat, purges fire, drains dampness to halt dysentery, cools blood, and soothes severe throat fire.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • MILD TOXICITY: Overdose causes nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy (pelvic-contracting dynamics) and in cold diarrhea without heat-toxin.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute purulent tonsillitis, severe aphonia, acute bacillary dysentery (Shigella), contact dermatitis, weeping eczema, and cervical lymphadenitis.

    Quality Markers

    Breynin A & B (Sulfur Glycosides) >= 0.20% & Condensed Catechins (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Breynins A and B exert potent anti-inflammatory and oral bactericidal activity, reducing vascular permeability in tonsillitis. 2. Condensed tannins precipitate mucosal proteins, halting enterotoxin-induced fluid hypersecretion. 3. Suppresses histamine in eczema.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Sliced dried branchlets/roots in decoction: 10-15 g daily (DO NOT EXCEED 20 g). Topical antiseptic wash for weeping eczema: 30-50 g boiled in 1 L water.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Lingnan Sovereign Pharyngeal Tonsillitis Decoction with Lonicera japonica and Platycodon (Jie Geng). 2. Nanyang Anti-Dysentery Formula with Pueraria lobata (Ge Gen) and Coptis.

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