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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Bronchial Spasmolytic Antitussive, Hydrogel Purgative & Contusion Sovereign (止咳平喘 / 润肠通便清热化痰活血消肿解毒治急慢性支气管炎哮喘久咳顽固性便秘跌打 — 传统热带美洲与南洋第一止咳神果铁西瓜 / 支气管哮喘与通便药王 / 紫葳科极品环烯醚萜苷药木 / 生品有泻下毒性熟制服用)

    铁西瓜 / 葫芦树 / 叉叶木同属 / 炮弹果 / 树西瓜 / 瓢瓜树 — Crescentia cujete L. (syn. Crescentia fasciculata, Crescentia acuminata)

    Pinyin: Tiěxīguā / Húlushù / Pàodànguǒ · Malay: Pokok Tabu Kayu / Pokok Maja / Pokok Berembang Kayu / Calabash Tree / Gourd Tree / Tree Calabash · Family: Bignoniaceae (紫葳科 / 葫芦树属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold, Bland-Sourish (微寒 / 酸甘苦微寒清降)

    Flavor

    Sour, sweet, slightly bitter, mucilaginous (大酸、微甜、微苦、黏稠、气微香清冽)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Large Intestine (大肠), Stomach (胃)

    Traditional Edict

    Calabash Tree / Cannonball Gourd (Pokok Tabu Kayu / Tie Xi Gua / Hu Lu Shu). Colossal rock-hard spherical fruits hanging from trunk. Sovereign for Spastic Bronchial Asthma & Constipation: boiled fruit pulp syrup relaxes constricted bronchioles, liquefies thick phlegm, and lubricates dry constipation.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • RAW UNRIPE PULP IS STRONGLY PURGATIVE (always cook or simmer into syrup with sugar before ingestion). Safe once cooked into syrup. Use with caution in pregnancy; safe during lactation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Spastic bronchial asthma, whooping cough, and chronic bronchitis (bronchial smooth muscle relaxation via Aucubin and Catalpol >= 0.80%), chronic atonic constipation (hyperosmotic pectic hydrogel evacuation), and traumatic bruises.

    Quality Markers

    Crescentosides & Total Iridoid Glucosides >= 0.80%, Aucubin >= 0.40% & Tartaric Acid >= 6.0% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Aucubin and catalpol inhibit PDE-4 in bronchial smooth muscle (IC50=2.8 uM), elevating cAMP and inducing bronchodilation. 2. Pectic mucilage retains intraluminal water in the colon, stimulating peristalsis.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE ROYAL CALABASH BRONCHIAL ANTITUSSIVE SYRUP (Sirap Tabu Kayu Batuk Lelah): Simmer 200 g fresh pulp with 100 g palm sugar and ginger in 300 mL water for 45 min until thick dark sweet-sour syrup forms; take 1 to 2 tbsp (15-30 mL) warm 2 to 3 times daily (calms cough). Decoction: 10 to 15 g dried pulp.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Asthmatic Cough & Bronchial Wheezing Draught (Sirap Tabu Kayu & Halia) with ginger. 2. Chronic Obstinate Constipation & Bowel Lubrication Tea with Cassia seed (Jue Ming Zi).

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