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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Supreme Ectoparasitic Scabicide, Pediculicide & Bio-Insecticidal Sovereign (杀虫攻毒 / 杀灭疥癣 / 灭虱止痒 / 截疟除湿 / 剧毒外用杀虫要药)

    毒鱼藤 / 鱼藤 / 毛鱼藤 / 罗藤 / 鱼毒木 — Derris elliptica (Wall.) Benth. / Paraderris elliptica

    Pinyin: Dú Yú Téng / Yú Téng / Máo Yú Téng · Malay: Tuba / Pokok Tuba / Akar Tuba / Tuba Jernang · Family: Fabaceae / Papilionoideae (豆科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold, Greatly Toxic (寒 / 苦辛寒有大毒杀虫攻毒截疟)

    Flavor

    Bitter, acrid, tongue-numbing, toxic (苦、辛、寒、有大毒、气恶浊豆腥刺舌麻喉)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝经), Spleen (脾经), Skin/Collaterals (皮毛/经络)

    Traditional Edict

    Tuba (Du Yu Teng / Mao Yu Teng). Climbing woody liana with velvety rusty stems, pink flowers, and milky roots. Supreme Destroyer of Scabies Mites & Head Lice (Raja Pembunuh Kudis Buta, Kutu Kepala & Racun Tuba): pounding the fresh roots into a milky emulsion rubs over stubborn scabies rashes (kudis buta) to kill burrowing itch-mites within hours, and dilute coconut lotions eliminate head lice and nits. Swallowing root sap is lethal to fish and humans.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • BLACK BOX LETHAL ROTENOID TOXICITY WARNING: Internal ingestion causes fatal respiratory depression, seizures, and cardiac arrest. Antidote: gastric lavage with activated charcoal, IV sodium bicarbonate, mechanical ventilation. EXTREME ECOTOXICITY: highly lethal to fish and aquatic amphibians (LC50 < 0.02 mg/L); never discharge tuba residue into natural waterways. Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, infants, and on open bleeding wounds.

    Clinical Applications

    • Refractory scabies mite infestations (Sarcoptes scabiei / Kudis Buta); pediculosis capitis and corporis (head and body lice / kutu); chronic tinea corporis and dermatomycosis; veterinary sarcoptic mange and cattle tick eradication.

    Quality Markers

    Rotenone (鱼藤酮) >= 4.0%-8.0%, Deguelin >= 2.0%-3.5%, Elliptone >= 0.50%, Total Ether Extractive >= 15.0%, Moisture <= 10.0%

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    Rotenone (>= 4.0%-8.0%) and deguelin (>= 2.0%-3.5%) act as cell-permeable specific inhibitors of Mitochondrial Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase), binding to PSST and ND1 subunits to halt cellular respiration and ATP synthesis in mites, lice, and parasites, triggering irreversible acarine paralysis and death within 15 to 30 minutes; lipophilic rotenoids readily diffuse across chitinous exoskeletons.

    Preparation & Dosage

    INTERNAL INGESTION: STRICTLY 0.0 g (ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN FOR INTERNAL USE). Topical aqueous emulsion (Air Tuba): 3% to 5% fresh root wash applied externally over scabies burrows for 20-30 min, then washed with soap. Topical ointment: 2% to 5% root powder in petroleum jelly or coconut oil.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Classical Scabies & Kudis Buta Eradication Wash (Air Tuba Pembunuh Kudis Buta): Fresh Tuba root 25 g, Sea salt 1 tbsp, Clean water 500 mL pounded into milky emulsion, strained; apply topically to scabies burrows for 25 min, then wash off with soap. 2. The Veterinary Sarcoptic Mange & Tick Wash (Ubat Mandian Tuba Kutu Haiwan): Derris root powder 30 g, Soft soap flakes 20 g, Warm water 2.0 L blended into a sponge wash for domestic livestock coats.

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