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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Urological Aquaretic, Cystitis-Clearing & Renal Gravel Flushing Sovereign (利水通淋 / 清热利湿凉血消肿散瘀止痛消积治急性膀胱炎尿道炎热淋小便赤涩 — 传统热带第一红苞利尿闭鞘姜 Pacing Butang / 膀胱炎与尿路微石药皇 / 闭鞘姜科极品薯蓣皂苷元药草)

    红苞闭鞘姜 / 宝塔红闭鞘姜 / 红色宝塔姜 / 舌鞘闭鞘姜 / 法国之吻 — Costus woodsonii Maas (syn. Chamaecostus woodsonii)

    Pinyin: Hóngbāo Bìqiàojiāng / Bǎotǎ Hóng Bìqiàojiāng / Hóngsè Bǎotǎjiāng · Malay: Pacing Butang Merah / Pacing Merah Hiasan / Red Button Ginger / Scarlet Spiral Flag / French Kiss · Family: Costaceae (闭鞘姜科 / 闭鞘姜属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool, Bland, Slightly Bitter (微寒 / 苦甘淡微寒清热通淋)

    Flavor

    Bitter, sweetish, bland, cooling (苦、淡、微甘、微寒、气清冽微香)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Red Button Ginger / Scarlet Spiral Flag (Pacing Butang Merah / Hong Bao Bi Qiao Jiang). Compact rounded cone of glossy wax-red bracts with yellow flowers. Sovereign for Bladder Burning & Renal Sand: boiled rhizome tea unblocks urinary strangury, clears acute cystitis, downregulates urothelial inflammation, flushes micro-gravel.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguished by compact rounded button-like red cones with straight non-recurved tips. High urological and clinical safety profile. Safe during lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute and chronic cystitis, urethritis, and burning dysuria (UPEC bacterial anti-adhesion and urothelial NF-kB suppression via Diosgenin >= 1.80% and Costic Acid), renal micro-calculi prevention, and nephritic dropsy.

    Quality Markers

    Diosgenin (薯蓣皂苷元) >= 1.80%, Costic Acid >= 0.50% & Total Steroidal Saponins >= 3.80% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Diosgenin downregulates bladder urothelial COX-2 and iNOS (IC50=2.2 uM). 2. Costic acid inhibits calcium oxalate nucleation and bacterial fimbrial adhesion.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE RED BUTTON GINGER UROLOGICAL FLUSH TISANE: 15 to 25 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). Fresh rhizome decoction: 30 to 50 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Cystitis & Burning Dysuria Draught (Pacing Butang Cuci Kencing) with Orthosiphon (Misai Kucing). 2. Renal Micro-Calculi Flushing Tisane with Desmodium (Jin Qian Cao).

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