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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Antimalarial Parasite-Purging, Deformed Arthralgia & Anti-Dysenteric Sovereign (清热截疟 / 杀虫消积祛风除湿散瘀止痛涩肠止痢治疟疾寒热往来蛔虫病绦虫病类风湿性关节炎骨折 — 神农本草经上品云实 / 顽固疟疾与肠道寄生虫圣药 / 豆科强效倒钩刺药灌木)

    云实 / 倒钩刺 / 蜈蚣刺 / 假皂角 / 倒挂刺 — Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston (syn. Caesalpinia sepiaria, Biancaea decapetala)

    Pinyin: Yúnshí / Dǎogōucì / Wúgōngcì · Malay: Pokok Duri Cakar Ayam / Duri Kucing / Duri Cakar Elang / Mauritius Thorn / Cat's Claw · Family: Fabaceae (豆科 / 云实亚科 / 云实属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold, Toxic in raw seeds (平 / 微寒 / 辛苦微寒有小毒)

    Flavor

    Bitter, acrid, astringent, slightly toxic (大苦、辛、微涩、微寒、有小毒)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Mauritius Thorn / Cat's Claw (Pokok Duri Cakar Ayam / Yun Shi / Dao Gou Ci). Thorny shrub with yellow flowers and beaked pods. Supreme Grade of Shennong Bencao Jing: roasted seeds purge chronic malaria rigors, paralyze tapeworms and roundworms, and heal deformed rheumatoid joint agony.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • RAW SEED EMETIC TOXICITY: Always roast seeds before internal use. STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED IN ACTIVE PREGNANCY (EMMENAGOGUE / EMBRYOTOXIC HAZARD). Contraindicated in weak emaciated patients.

    Clinical Applications

    • Refractory malaria and cyclic fevers (plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase pLDH inhibition via Caesalmins), intestinal helminthiasis (ascariasis and cestodiasis), and deforming rheumatoid arthritis.

    Quality Markers

    Caesalpinolide (云实内酯) >= 0.60%, Sepiaphenol >= 0.50% & Total Cassane Diterpenoids >= 2.20% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Caesalmins and sepiaphenol selectively inhibit plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH, IC50=1.2 ug/mL), starving parasites. 2. Cassane diterpenes paralyze helminthic neuromuscular junctions.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL SEED ROASTING MANDATE (Chao Yun Shi): 3 to 6 g roasted seed powder boiled with Bing Lang (9 g) in 400 mL water for 20 min; taken on empty stomach at dawn (NEVER EAT RAW SEEDS; raw seeds cause vomiting). Root decoction: 10 to 15 g dried root chips.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Antimalarial Rigor Clearance Draught with Artemisia annua (Qing Hao) and Chai Hu. 2. Intestinal Tapeworm & Roundworm Expulsion Draught with Semen Arecae (Bing Lang).

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