← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Renal Lithotriptic, Nephritic Dropsy & Anti-Calcification Sovereign (利尿通淋 / 排石消石清热消肿凉血解毒祛风止痛治泌尿系结石肾结石输尿管结石水肿 — 传统热带第一排石闭鞘姜 Pacing Merah / 肾结石与尿路碎石药皇 / 闭鞘姜科极品闭鞘姜酸与薯蓣皂苷元药草)

    穗花闭鞘姜 / 假闭鞘姜 / 穗序闭鞘姜 / 宝塔姜 — Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. (syn. Alpinia spicata, Costus cylindricus)

    Pinyin: Suìhuā Bìqiàojiāng / Jiǎ Bìqiàojiāng / Suìxù Bìqiàojiāng · Malay: Pacing Merah / Pacing Kepala India / Indian Head Ginger / Spiked Spiralflag / Cane Reed / Rhizoma Costi Spicati · Family: Costaceae (闭鞘姜科 / 闭鞘姜属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool, Bland, Slightly Bitter (微寒 / 苦淡微寒通淋消石)

    Flavor

    Bitter, bland, slightly astringent, cooling (苦、淡、微涩、微寒、气清冽微苦)

    Meridians

    Kidney (肾), Bladder (膀胱), Liver (肝), Small Intestine (小肠)

    Traditional Edict

    Spiked Spiralflag / Indian Head Ginger (Pacing Merah / Sui Hua Bi Qiao Jiang / Bao Ta Jiang). Dense cone spike of overlapping hard red bracts with yellow flowers. Sovereign for Kidney Stones & Renal Dropsy (The Stone-Breaker Costus): boiled rhizome tea inhibits calcium oxalate crystallization, relaxes ureters, and flushes urinary stones.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Large impacted renal calculi (>10 mm) require surgical urological consultation before lithotriptic flushing. High nephrological and clinical safety profile. Safe during lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Urolithiasis, nephrolithiasis, and ureteral calculus expulsion (calcium oxalate nucleation inhibition and ureteral smooth muscle spasmolysis via Costic Acid >= 0.50% and Diosgenin), acute glomerulonephritis edema, and gouty arthritis.

    Quality Markers

    Costic Acid (闭鞘姜酸) >= 0.50%, Diosgenin >= 1.80% & Total Flavonoids >= 2.20% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Costic acid and steroidal saponins inhibit calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystal aggregation and nucleation. 2. Flavonoids relax ureteral smooth muscle, accelerating stone transit.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN STONE-BREAKING UROLITHIASIS DECOCTION (Pacing Merah Pecah Batu / 穗花闭鞘姜排石汤): 20 to 30 g dried sliced rhizomes boiled with Desmodium styracifolium (Jin Qian Cao, 30 g) and Hai Jin Sha (15 g, wrapped) in 800 mL water for 25 min; drink warm throughout the day (expels renal sand in 7-14 days). Dropsy tea: 15 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Renal Stone & Ureteral Calculus Expulsion Draught (Pacing Merah Pecah Batu) with Jin Qian Cao. 2. Acute Nephritis Dropsy & Uric Acid Flush Draught with Orthosiphon (Misai Kucing).

    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