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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Heat-Clearing, Strangury-Unblocking & Otic Febrifuge Sovereign (清热解毒 / 利水消肿通淋利尿平肝退热治耳疾药)

    球序闭鞘姜 / 红球闭鞘姜 / 宝塔闭鞘姜 — Cheilocostus globosus (Blume) C.D.Specht (syn. Costus globosus)

    Pinyin: Qiúxù Bìqiàojiāng / Hóngqiú Bìqiàojiāng · Malay: Setawar Betina / Setawar Gajah / Setawar Hutan · Family: Costaceae (闭鞘姜科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (凉 / 微寒)

    Flavor

    Pungent, slightly bitter, sour, bland (辛、微苦、微酸、淡)

    Meridians

    Kidney (肾), Urinary Bladder (膀胱), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Female Neutralizer (Setawar Betina). Dense ground-level crimson-red globose flower heads. Neutralizes epidemic fevers, clears burning urinary strangury (kencing kotor), relieves nephritis edema, and cures purulent earache.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Raw unboiled rhizome in overdose causes mild nausea. STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy (potent emmenagogue uterine-stimulating properties) and cold diarrhea.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute/recurrent cystitis, non-gonococcal urethritis, acute glomerulonephritis edema, acute purulent otitis media (Pseudomonas/Staph ear drops), and rheumatoid arthritis.

    Quality Markers

    Diosgenin (薯蓣皂苷元) >= 1.50%, Tigogenin & Costunolide (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Diosgenin downregulates NF-kB and COX-2 in renal parenchyma and middle ear mucosa, relieving tissue swelling and pain. 2. Costunolide in fresh stem juice lyses bacterial membranes of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. 3. Glomerular diuretic flush.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Sliced dried rhizome in decoction: 10-20 g daily. FRESH HEATED STEM OTIC EAR DROPS (Air Batang Setawar): Fresh succulent cane stem gently warmed over fire, expressed juice: 2-3 drops instilled into ear canal twice daily. Poultice: 30-50 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Nanyang Nephritic Edema & Strangury Formula with Plantago asiatica and Smilax glabra. 2. Rainforest Otitis Media Ear Drops with Piper betle (Sirih) juice.

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