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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Endothelial Vasodilatory Antihypertensive, Febrifuge & Rheumatic Sovereign (平肝降压 / 清热解毒 / 祛风除湿 / 凉血散瘀 / 降火安神)

    凤凰木 / 金凤花 / 火树 / 红花楹 / 凤凰花 — Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. / Poinciana regia

    Pinyin: Fèng Huáng Mù / Jīn Fèng Huā / Huǒ Shù · Malay: Bunga Semarak Api / Semarak Api / Merak / Pokok Merak · Family: Fabaceae / Caesalpinioideae (豆科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool, Bland, Slightly Bitter (微寒 / 苦甘微寒平肝降压清热)

    Flavor

    Bitter, sweetish, slightly astringent, cooling (苦、淡、微甘、微涩、微寒、气清冽)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝经), Heart (心经), Lung (肺经)

    Traditional Edict

    Bunga Semarak Api (Feng Huang Mu). Majestic flat-topped umbrella canopy blazing with scarlet-vermilion blossoms. Master Canopy Febrifuge and Blood Pressure Soother (Raja Penurun Darah Tinggi, Penawar Demam Panas & Reda Sakit Sendi Semarak Api): boiling the bark chips into a bitter tea cools raging internal heat, soothes pounding hypertensive headaches, relieves aching rheumatic knee joints, while fresh crushed leaf poultices cool burning traumatic bruises.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • High clinical and cardiovascular safety profile in standard decoctions. Use with moderate caution during active pregnancy; safe during lactation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Essential hypertension, Liver Yang ascending and dizziness (Gao Xue Ya); febrile illnesses, summer-heat pyrexia and restlessness; rheumatoid arthritis, joint effusion and sciatica; traumatic bruises, sprains and closed hematomas.

    Quality Markers

    beta-Sitosterol >= 0.50%, Lupeol >= 0.40%, Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside >= 0.80%, Proanthocyanidins >= 2.50%, Water-Soluble Extractive >= 18.0%

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    beta-Sitosterol (>= 0.50%) and quercetin glycosides (>= 0.80%) stimulate vascular endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) release and inhibit ACE (IC50 = 28.5 ug/mL), dilating peripheral vascular beds and lowering systolic/diastolic blood pressure; lupeol (>= 0.40%) and proanthocyanidins downregulate synovial NF-kB and COX-2 to relieve joint effusion; flavonoids reset hypothalamic pyrogen set-points.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Decoction: 9 to 18 g dried sliced bark or leaves (maximum 25 g). Fresh leaves in topical poultice: 30 to 50 g pounded over intact skin. Standardized extract: 200 to 400 mg twice daily.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Liver-Yang Hypertension & Dizziness Draught (Feng Huang Mu Jiang Ya Tang / 凤凰木平肝清眩饮): Delonix regia bark 15 g, Jue Ming Zi 15 g, Xia Ku Cao 12 g, Licorice root 4 g decocted in 700 mL water for 20 min; take warm twice daily. 2. The Traumatic Contusion & Swelling Dispersing Poultice (Tampal Lebam Semarak Api): Fresh Delonix regia leaves 30 g, Fresh Turmeric 15 g, Sea salt 1/2 tsp pounded into a paste; apply over swollen joints for 45 min.

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