← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Ophthalmic Liver-Fire Purging, Cataract-Dissolving & Hypertensive Monarch (清肝明目 / 退翳明目泻肝降火降血压清热利湿消肿生肌治肝火目赤肿痛目生翳障白内障青光眼 — 神农本草经上品青葙子 / 历代眼科退翳明目药皇 / 苋科极品青葙酸性多糖仙种 / 闭角型青光眼严禁内服)

    青葙 / 青葙子 / 野鸡冠花 / 草决明同类 / 狗尾巴花 / 细金管 — Celosia argentea L. (syn. Celosia linearis, Celosia marginata)

    Pinyin: Qīngxiāng / Qīngxiāngzǐ / Yějīguānhuā · Malay: Bayam Ekor Kucing / Bayam Merah Liar / Feather Cockscomb / Silver Cockscomb / Semen Celosiae · Family: Amaranthaceae (苋科 / 青葙属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 苦微寒清利)

    Flavor

    Bitter, cooling, clean (苦、微寒、清燥降火)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Feather Cockscomb / Semen Celosiae (Bayam Ekor Kucing / Qing Xiang / Qing Xiang Zi). Silvery-pink cylindrical flower spikes with shining black seeds. Supreme Grade of Shennong Bencao Jing: clears blinding liver-fire congestion, relieves photophobia, dissolves corneal cataracts (Tui Yi), lowers pressure.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • BLACK BOX CLOSED-ANGLE GLAUCOMA CONTRAINDICATION: QING XIANG ZI INDUCES PUPILLARY DILATION (MYDRIASIS); ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED IN CLOSED-ANGLE GLAUCOMA (spikes IOP). Safe in open-angle ocular strain.

    Clinical Applications

    • Ophthalmic liver-fire congestion and acute conjunctivitis (corneal VEGF and COX-2 suppression via Celosian >= 1.20%), corneal opacities and incipient cataracts (macrophage clearance of lens debris), and essential hypertension.

    Quality Markers

    Celosian (青葙酸性多糖) >= 1.20%, Celosins A-D >= 0.50% & Semen Celosiae Fixed Oil >= 6.0% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Celosian acidic arabinogalactan polysaccharide suppresses ocular inflammatory TNF-a and VEGF (IC50=3.2 ug/mL). 2. Cyclic peptide celosins exert mild mydriasis and lower blood pressure.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE IMMORTAL QING XIANG ZI EYE DECOCTION: 10 g crushed seeds boiled with Mi Meng Hua (10 g) and Jue Ming Zi (10 g) in 600 mL water for 20 min; taken warm twice daily. Hypertensive tea: 10 g seeds steeped with Chrysanthemum. RAW VS. TOASTED PAOZHI: Toasting (Chao) prevents gastric chill in weak digestion.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Ophthalmic Cataract & Cloud Dissolution Draught with Buddleja (Mi Meng Hua) and Cassia seed. 2. Liver-Fire Conjunctivitis & Hypertension Tea with Chrysanthemum.

    Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

    No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

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