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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Febrifuge, Respiratory Antitussive & Dermal Anti-Pruritic Sovereign (清热解毒 / 宣肺止咳凉血消肿祛风止痒利尿通淋治感冒发热支气管炎咳嗽皮肤瘙痒 — 传统南洋与热带美洲第一满天星仙花 Bunga Bintang Halus / 止咳消炎与止痒药王 / 千屈菜科极品草酚酚酸药草)

    细叶萼距花 / 满天星 / 细叶雪茄花 / 假石榴 / 细叶紫草 — Cuphea hyssopifolia Kunth

    Pinyin: Xìyè Èjùhuā / Mǎntiānxīng / Xìyè Xuějiāhuā · Malay: Bunga Bintang Halus / Bunga Rumput Halus / Bunga Bintang Ungu / False Heather / Mexican Heather / Elfin Herb · Family: Lythraceae (千屈菜科 / 萼距花属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Neutral (平 / 微凉 / 苦微辛平)

    Flavor

    Bitter, slightly sweet, aromatic, cooling (苦、微甘、微辛、平)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Liver (肝), Bladder (膀胱)

    Traditional Edict

    False Heather / Mexican Heather (Bunga Bintang Halus / Xi Ye E Ju Hua / Man Tian Xing). Densely leafy subshrub with profuse miniature purple star flowers. Sovereign for Bronchial Cough & Pruritic Rashes: flower tea clears lung heat, liquefies phlegm, calms cold fevers, poultice cools insect bites.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguished by tiny hyssop-like linear-lanceolate leaves (1-2 cm) and endless tiny purple star flowers. High respiratory and pediatric safety profile. Safe in all ages.

    Clinical Applications

    • Common cold fevers, acute bronchitis cough, and pharyngitis (airway smooth muscle spasmolysis via Apigenin-7-glucoside >= 0.50%), pruritic insect bites and heat rash, and acute cystitis.

    Quality Markers

    Hyssopin >= 0.35%, Apigenin-7-O-glucoside >= 0.50% & Gallic Acid >= 0.40% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Apigenin and gallic acid downregulate airway COX-2 and IL-1b (IC50=2.4 uM), easing cough reflexes. 2. Phenolic matrix scavenges free radicals and soothes cutaneous mast cell itching.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE BUNGA BINTANG HALUS COUGH & FEVER TISANE: 10 to 15 g dried leafy flowering stems boiled with Pi Pa Ye (10 g) and Licorice root (4 g) in 500 mL water for 15 min; sip warm twice daily (soothes cough and fever). Insect bite poultice: fresh crushed flowers applied topically.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Common Cold Fever & Cough Tisane (Teh Bintang Halus Legakan Batuk) with Eriobotrya (Pi Pa Ye). 2. Pruritic Insect Bite & Heat Rash Calming Wash with fresh peppermint.

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