Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
仙茅 / 独茅 — Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
Pinyin: Xiānmáo / Dúmáo · Malay: Lemba / Lemba Batu / Pinang Kera · Family: Hypoxidaceae (仙茅科)
Energetics
Hot (热), Mildly Toxic (有小毒)
Flavor
Pungent, sweet (辛、甘)
Meridians
Kidney (肾), Liver (肝), Spleen (脾)
Traditional Edict
Warms the Kidney and invigorates Yang, strengthens sinews and bones, expels cold-dampness. Sovereign hot tonic for Kidney-Yang deficiency, impotence, spermatorrhea, cold womb infertility (宫冷不孕), lumbar cold pain, and cold-damp Bi syndrome.
Cautions & Contraindications
- MILDLY TOXIC; do not use continuously at high doses (>15 g/day). STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED in Yin Deficiency with Effulgent Fire (night sweats, hot flashes, red tongue without coat) and pregnancy.
Clinical Applications
- Male hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, asthenozoospermia, female climacteric syndrome (menopausal hot flashes/chills), postmenopausal osteoporosis, and adrenal fatigue.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Curculigoside upregulates StAR protein and CYP17A1 enzyme in Leydig cells, elevating serum testosterone and sperm motility. 2. Curculigoside activates BMP-2/Smad and Wnt/b-catenin, promoting osteoblast differentiation and Runx2 expression while suppressing osteoclast TRAP. 3. Orcinol glucoside scavenges ROS and protects hippocampal synapses.
Preparation & Dosage
Sliced dried rhizomes soaked in fermented rice-washing water (Mi Gan Shui) for 24h to neutralize mucosal irritants and dried. Decoction: 3-9 g daily. Standardized extract: 250-500 mg.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Menopausal & Endocrine Harmonizer (Er Xian Tang / 二仙汤) with Epimedium brevicornu, Morinda officinalis, and Angelica sinensis. 2. Xian Mao Wan with Cistanche deserticola and Eucommia ulmoides.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only