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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Epigastric Visceral Spasmolytic, Snakebite Antidote & Sciatica Master (行气止痛 / 祛风除湿散瘀消肿解毒治胃脘隐痛胃痉挛消化性溃疡风湿痹痛毒蛇咬伤 — 岭南第一道地行气止痛神药鸡骨香 / 胃痛胃痉挛与解蛇毒药皇 / 大戟科极品鸡骨香二萜仙根)

    鸡骨香 / 广鸡骨香 / 矮脚巴豆 / 鸡脚香 / 根香 / 浅黄巴豆 — Croton crassifolius Geiseler (syn. Croton tomentosus, Croton chinensis)

    Pinyin: Jīgǔxiāng / Guǎng Jīgǔxiāng / Ǎijiǎo Bādòu · Malay: Pokok Kaki Ayam Hutan / Thick-Leaved Croton / Fragrant Croton Root / Radix Crotonis Crassifolii · Family: Euphorbiaceae (大戟科 / 巴豆属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm, Piercing, Intensely Aromatic (温 / 辛苦温芳烈走窜)

    Flavor

    Bitter, pungent, intensely aromatic with sandalwood finish (苦、辛、温、气极浓郁芳香甘冽)

    Meridians

    Stomach (胃), Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), Kidney (肾)

    Traditional Edict

    Thick-Leaved Croton / Chicken-Bone Fragrance (Ji Gu Xiang / Guang Ji Gu Xiang / Ai Jiao Ba Dou / Radix Crotonis Crassifolii). Knobby chicken-bone roots with sandalwood aroma. Sovereign for Acute Gastric Pain & Venomous Snakebites: chewing fresh root or drinking decoction terminates severe epigastric cramping within 10 min, neutralizes pit viper venom Phospholipase A2, and relieves sciatica.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Authentic roots are crooked, knotty, and emit an intense spicy sandalwood perfume when broken. High gastrointestinal, antivenom, and clinical safety profile. Safe in lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute gastric spasms, peptic ulcer pain, and functional epigastric distress (visceral nociceptor inhibition and H+/K+-ATPase blockade via Crassifolins >= 0.60%), venomous pit viper and centipede snakebites (venom PLA2 catalytic neutralization), and deforming sciatica.

    Quality Markers

    Crassifolins A–E (鸡骨香二萜) >= 0.60%, Cyanthiwigin Diterpenes >= 0.40% & Total Diterpenoids >= 1.80% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Crassifolins and cyanthiwigin diterpenes competitively block visceral substance P and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (IC50=1.4 uM), abolishing stomach spasms in 10 min. 2. Crassignolide binds catalytic Ca2+ loops in snake venom PLA2.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN JI GU XIANG GASTRIC SPASM & STOMACHACHE TISANE: 9 to 15 g dried sliced chicken-bone roots boiled in 400 mL water for 15 min; sip warm (extinguishes acute stomach cramping in 10 min). Emergency snakebite: chew 15 g fresh root, swallow juice, apply pulp over fang punctures.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Acute Gastric Spasm & Ulcer Pain Draught (Ji Gu Xiang He Wei Tang) with Cyperus (Xiang Fu). 2. Venomous Snakebite & Centipede Emergency Antidote Poultice with Curcuma longa.

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