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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Emetic, Phlegm-Expelling & Dysentery-Arresting (消痰涌吐 / 清热利湿涩肠止痢消肿止痛药)

    山石榴 / 刺子木 / 猪肚子 / 苦口树 — Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. (syn. Randia dumetorum)

    Pinyin: Shānshíliu / Cìzǐmù · Malay: Pokok Duri Melukut / Duri Badak / Melukut · Family: Rubiaceae (茜草科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉), Toxic in large doses (有小毒)

    Flavor

    Bitter, acrid, astringent (苦、辛、涩)

    Meridians

    Stomach (胃), Lung (肺), Large Intestine (大肠)

    Traditional Edict

    Mountain Pomegranate armed with sharp decussate spines. Unripe fruit induces therapeutic vomiting to clear suffocating wind-phlegm and food poison, binds chronic dysentery, relieves toothache, and kills skin parasites.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • MILD TOXICITY & EMESIS HAZARD: Unripe fruit causes intense nausea and vomiting (do not exceed 6 g). STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED in pregnancy, severe cardiac exhaustion, and corrosive chemical poisonings.

    Clinical Applications

    • Emergency therapeutic emesis (evacuating toxic non-corrosive poisons), acute amebic/bacillary dysentery, chronic osteoarthritis, periodontal toothache, and cutaneous tinea ringworm.

    Quality Markers

    Catunaregoside (Triterpene Saponins) >= 1.00%, Randianin & Oleanolic Acid (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Catunaregoside and triterpenoid saponins irritate gastric mucosal vagal sensory receptors, triggering reflexive emesis. 2. Astringent tannins cross-link enterocyte proteins to arrest diarrhea. 3. Piscicidal saponin membrane lysis.

    Preparation & Dosage

    EMETIC DOSAGE (Unripe Fruit Pulp): 3-6 g boiled in water for rapid gastric emptying. ASTRINGENT ANTIDIARRHEAL DOSAGE (Ripe/Processed Fruit): 5-10 g decocted. Fresh fruit pulp poultice for toothache and skin boils.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Emergency Gastric Phlegm-Evacuating Decoction with Zingiber officinale juice. 2. Rainforest Antidiarrheal & Dysentery Formula with Psidium guajava (Guava leaf) and Pueraria lobata.

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