Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
刺麻 / 荨麻树 / 咬人狗同属 / 毒刺树 / 痒痒树 — Dendrocnide stimulans (L.f.) Chew / Laportea stimulans
Pinyin: Cì Má / Qián Má Shù / Yǎo Rén Gǒu Tóng Shǔ · Malay: Jelatang / Jelatang Gajah / Jelatang Api / Pokok Jelatang · Family: Urticaceae (荨麻科)
Energetics
Warm, Highly Irritant, Toxic in Fresh State (温 / 辛苦大热有毒以痛止痛通络祛湿)
Flavor
Pungent, acrid, tongue-numbing, toxic when raw (大辛、微苦、温、生品剧毒刺激灼痛麻木)
Meridians
Liver (肝经), Kidney (肾经), Spleen (脾经), Bones/Collaterals (骨节/经络)
Traditional Edict
Jelatang (Ci Ma / Qian Ma Shu). Massive rainforest tree armed with crystalline stinging hypodermic needle hairs. Master Neuro-Counter-Irritant and Deep Joint Desensitizer (Raja Bisa Jelatang, Penawar Sengal Tulang, Lumpuh & Sakit Pinggang): traditional forest hunters and Orang Asli touched the stinging leaves briefly to paralyzed or chronically aching arthritic joints, replacing deep agonizing rheumatism with fierce superficial warmth and depleting localized pain neurotransmitters, while boiled root decoctions cure obstinate sciatica.
Cautions & Contraindications
- BLACK BOX SEVERE CUTANEOUS URTICATION WARNING: Accidental contact with fresh stinging hairs triggers immediate agonizing burning pain, erythema, piloerection, and regional lymphadenopathy lasting 24 to 72 hours. Handle only with thick rubber/leather gloves. Absolutely contraindicated for internal ingestion in crude unboiled state. Contraindicated in children, pregnant women, and patients with cardiac disease.
Clinical Applications
- Intractable deforming rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sciatica and phantom limb neuralgia (controlled neuro-counter-irritation therapy); chronic lumbar spine weakness and muscular paralysis; obstinate skin tinea and alopecia areata; venomous animal sting counteraction.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
Crystalline silica stinging trichomes inject a cocktail of Histamine, Acetylcholine, Serotonin (5-HT), and Formic Acid directly into cutaneous nerve endings, triggering localized axon reflex vasodilation; moroidin bicyclic peptide permanently arrests tubulin polymerization; controlled stinging induces total depletion of Substance P from sensory C-fibers, abolishing chronic arthritic pain for weeks; thermal boiling permanently deactivates stinging peptides.
Preparation & Dosage
Controlled cutaneous urtication (traditional neuro-counter-irritation): brush 1 leaf edge lightly across arthritic joint for 2 seconds (wear leather gloves). Decoction of boiled roots: STRICTLY 6 to 12 g (must be boiled for at least 30 minutes to denature all irritant stinging peptides; never ingest fresh crude plant). Topical antidote wash for accidental stings: apply warm alkaline sodium bicarbonate or fresh Crinum leaf juice.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Sciatica & Rheumatic Bone Agony Decoction (Ci Ma Tong Luo Tang / 刺麻祛湿舒筋汤): Thoroughly dried Dendrocnide stimulans root slices 9 g, Sang Ji Sheng 15 g, Du Huo 9 g, Niu Xi 12 g boiled for 35 min in 600 mL water; drink warm twice daily to unblock frozen sciatica. 2. The Specific Jelatang Sting Antidote Neutralizer (Penawar Bisa Jelatang): Crushed fresh Crinum asiaticum leaves or 5% sodium bicarbonate solution washed thoroughly over sting site to neutralize formic acid and peptide toxins.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only