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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Liver-Fire Draining, Pharyngeal Heat-Clearing & Shen-Calming Sovereign (清热解毒 / 泻肝清胆利咽消肿清心安神止痛止血治急性黄疸型肝炎扁桃体炎咽喉肿痛心悸失眠 — 传统岭南第一穿心神草穿心草 / 急性肝炎与咽喉肿痛药王 / 印度神草商枯蒲施比近缘姐妹药草)

    穿心草 / 穿柄草 / 贯穿草 / 苦草 / 抽心草 / 见霜红 — Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult. (syn. Gentiana diffusa, Canscora decurrens)

    Pinyin: Chuānxīncǎo / Chuānbǐngcǎo / Guànchuāncǎo · Malay: Rumput Jantung / Rumput Tembus Batang / Rumput Pahit / Diffuse Canscora / Shankhpushpi Cousin · Family: Gentianaceae (龙胆科 / 穿心草属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold, Intensely Bitter (微寒 / 苦微甘微寒)

    Flavor

    Intensely bitter, slightly sweet, cooling, clean (大苦、微甘、微寒、极苦清心)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Diffuse Canscora / Heart-Piercing Herb (Rumput Jantung / Chuan Xin Cao / Chuan Bing Cao). Wiry 4-angled stems piercing perfoliate leaves with delicate pink flowers. Sovereign for Icteric Hepatitis & Acute Tonsillitis: drains liver fire, clears throat exudates, calms racing palpitations.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Upper cauline leaves completely encircle the 4-angled stem (perfoliate characteristic). Intensely bitter; avoid in pure Spleen deficiency cold with diarrhea. Safe in lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute icteric viral hepatitis and cholecystitis (bile flow stimulation via Amarogentin and Gentiopicroside), acute suppurative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, and autonomic cardiac palpitations with insomnia.

    Quality Markers

    Mangiferin (芒果苷) >= 1.20%, Amarogentin / Gentiopicroside >= 0.80% & Total Xanthones >= 3.00% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Amarogentin downregulates hepatic NF-kB and accelerates bile acid transport. 2. Mangiferin modulates central GABAA receptors, suppressing panic, palpitations, and cortisol release.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN CHUAN XIN CAO SORE THROAT & HEPATITIS TISANE: 10 to 15 g dried whole herb boiled with Jin Yin Hua (10 g) in 500 mL water for 15 min; sip warm twice daily. Snakebite poultice: 20 to 30 g fresh whole herb pounded with salt applied topically.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Acute Suppurative Tonsillitis Draught with Sterculia (Pang Da Hai) and Lonicera. 2. Cardiac Palpitation & Anxiolytic Harmony Draught with Ziziphus spinosa (Suan Zao Ren).

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