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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Urological Aquaretic, Renal Anti-Inflammatory & Chondroprotective Sovereign (利水消肿 / 清热通淋祛风除湿散瘀止痛消肿解毒治急性膀胱炎尿道炎热淋水肿风湿关节痛 — 传统热带第一橙苞利尿螺旋姜 Pacing Jingga / 膀胱炎尿痛与水肿药皇 / 闭鞘姜科极品薯蓣皂苷元药木)

    橙苞闭鞘姜 / 弯苞闭鞘姜 / 螺旋姜 / 橙花闭鞘姜 — Costus curvibracteatus Maas

    Pinyin: Chéngbāo Bìqiàojiāng / Wānbāo Bìqiàojiāng / Luóxuánjiāng · Malay: Pacing Jingga / Orange Bishop / Orange Spiral Flag / Spiral Ginger / Rhizoma Costi Curvibracteati · Family: Costaceae (闭鞘姜科 / 闭鞘姜属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool, Bland, Slightly Pungent (微寒 / 苦甘微辛凉清利)

    Flavor

    Bitter, slightly sweet, bland, cooling (苦、微甘、微辛、淡、微寒、气清冽微苦)

    Meridians

    Bladder (膀胱), Kidney (肾), Lung (肺), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Orange Bishop / Curved-Bracted Costus (Pacing Jingga / Cheng Bao Bi Qiao Jiang / Wan Bao Bi Qiao Jiang). Flaming scarlet-orange cone bracts with recurved tips. Sovereign for Burning Cystitis & Joint Swelling: boiled rhizome tea unblocks urinary strangury, flushes uropathogens, and drains arthritic joint effusion.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Features diagnostic bright orange bracts with outward-curving (recurved) tips. High clinical, urological, and joint safety profile. Safe during lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute cystitis, urethritis, and burning dysuria (uropathogenic E. coli anti-adhesion and ureteral relaxation via Costunolide >= 0.50%), nephritic dropsy and fluid retention, and rheumatoid/osteoarthritic joint inflammation.

    Quality Markers

    Diosgenin (薯蓣皂苷元) >= 1.80%, Costunolide >= 0.50% & Total Steroidal Saponins >= 3.50% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Diosgenin downregulates synovial NF-kB, TNF-a, and COX-2 (IC50=2.4 uM), easing joint stiffness. 2. Costunolide exerts membrane-lytic action against Gram-negative uropathogens.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE ORANGE BISHOP UROLOGICAL FLUSH TISANE: 15 to 20 g dried sliced rhizomes boiled with Misai Kucing (15 g) and Che Qian Cao (10 g) in 600 mL water for 20 min; drink warm twice daily (clears urinary burning in 24-48h). Rheumatic joint decoction: 15 g rhizome slices boiled with Taxillus.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Acute Cystitis & Burning Strangury Draught (Pacing Jingga Cuci Kencing) with Orthosiphon (Misai Kucing). 2. Rheumatic Joint Swelling & Pain Relief Draught with Achyranthes (Niu Xi).

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