← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Dermatological Antifungal, Febrifuge & Wound-Healing Sovereign (清热解毒 / 凉血止血杀菌止痒消肿生肌清肝明目治热带顽固性体癣手足癣痈疽发热 — 传统南洋热带第一鸟尾花 Bunga Semarak / 皮肤真菌癣病与退热药王 / 爵床科极品芹菜素糖苷药草)

    十字爵床 / 鸟尾花 / 半边黄 / 爆竹花 / 漏斗花 — Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees (syn. Crossandra undulifolia)

    Pinyin: Shízì Juéchuáng / Niǎowěihuā / Bànbiānhuáng · Malay: Bunga Semarak / Bunga Ekor Burung / Bunga Api-api / Firecracker Flower / Crossandra · Family: Acanthaceae (爵床科 / 十字爵床属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Neutral (平 / 微凉 / 苦微甘平)

    Flavor

    Bitter, sweetish, slightly pungent, cooling (苦、微甘、微辛、平)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Heart (心), Lung (肺), Skin/Spleen (皮毛/脾)

    Traditional Edict

    Firecracker Flower / Crossandra (Bunga Semarak / Shi Zi Jue Chuang / Niao Wei Hua). 4-sided flower spikes with salverform apricot-orange petals. Sovereign for Skin Fungal Tineas & Wounds: fresh flower/leaf poultice lyses dermatophyte membranes (Trichophyton and Candida), while flower tea drains liver heat and breaks fevers.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguished by fan-shaped 5-lobed apricot-orange flowers resembling a bird's tail. High dermatological and clinical safety profile. Safe in all ages.

    Clinical Applications

    • Tinea corporis, tinea pedis, and cutaneous candidiasis (fungal ergosterol disruption via Apigenin-7-O-glucoside >= 1.20%), acute fevers with headache, and minor wound burns.

    Quality Markers

    Apigenin-7-O-glucoside >= 1.20%, Crossandrine, Luteolin & Total Flavonoids >= 2.50% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Apigenin and luteolin flavonoids inhibit fungal lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (MIC=6.25 ug/mL). 2. Phenolics downregulate localized dermal COX-2 and IL-1b, accelerating re-epithelialization.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE BUNGA SEMARAK ANTIFUNGAL TOPICAL PASTE: Pound 30 g fresh flowers and leaves with 1 tsp virgin coconut oil and pinch of turmeric; apply over ringworm, athlete's foot, or skin sores twice daily (clears fungal tinea in 5-7 days). Febrifuge tea: 10 g dried flowers in 300 mL boiling water.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Tinea Ringworm & Cutaneous Antifungal Paste (Salap Antikulat Bunga Semarak) with Curcuma longa. 2. Liver-Clearing & Headache Febrifuge Tea with Chrysanthemum.

    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