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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Deep Channel-Penetrating Anti-Arthritic, Malaria Febrifuge & Traumatic Sovereign (祛风定痛 / 散瘀消肿 / 截疟清热 / 舒筋活络 / 跌打损伤要药)

    黑风藤 / 火绳藤 / 大头假鹰爪 / 鹰爪风 — Desmos cochinchinensis Lour. / Unona cochinchinensis

    Pinyin: Hēi Fēng Téng / Huǒ Shéng Téng / Yīng Zhuǎ Fēng · Malay: Bunga Pisang-pisang Hutan / Pisang-pisang Bulu / Akar Kenanga Hutan · Family: Annonaceae (番荔枝科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm, Aromatic, Deeply Piercing (温 / 辛苦温芳烈透络走窜)

    Flavor

    Bitter, pungent, warm, intensely resinous-aromatic (苦、辛、温、气极浓郁树脂辛烈走窜; piercing pungency enters the deep skeletal frame, bitterness drains stubborn wind-dampness)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝经), Kidney (肾经), Spleen (脾经)

    Traditional Edict

    Bunga Pisang-pisang Hutan (Hei Feng Teng / Huo Sheng Teng). Massive climbing woody liana with fibrous rope-like bark and claw-like fragrant flowers. Master of Deep Skeletal Pain & Malarial Fevers (Raja Sakit Tulang Angin, Demam Kura & Lebam Darah Pisang-pisang Hutan): boiling the dark woody vine discs dredges frozen rheumatic joints, terminates stubborn malarial rigors, and fresh pounded bark poultices dissolve severe closed contusions.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Warm and deeply moving nature; contraindicated in severe Yin deficiency with bleeding tendencies. Safe during lactation; use moderate doses during active pregnancy (avoid high-dose wine tinctures).

    Clinical Applications

    • Severe deforming rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and intractable sciatica; chronic intermittent malarial fevers and post-viral pyrexia; traumatic contusions, joint sprains and closed hematomas; functional dyspepsia and abdominal cold colic.

    Quality Markers

    Aporphine Alkaloids (Oxostephanine) >= 0.35%, Desmoscochins A-B >= 0.40%, Total Flavonoids >= 1.60%, Water-Soluble Extractive >= 15.0%

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    Aporphine alkaloids including oxostephanine (>= 0.35%) and desmoscochins (>= 0.40%) suppress synovial matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-13) and interleukin-6, halting articular cartilage destruction; alkaloids exert antimalarial schizontocidal action against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 2.8 ug/mL); volatile terpenes accelerate subcutaneous hematoma fibrinolysis.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Decoction: 10 to 20 g dried sliced woody stems (maximum 30 g). Medicinal wine tincture (1:5): 15 to 30 mL twice daily. Topical fresh bark poultice: 30 to 50 g pounded over closed sprains. Standardized extract: 200 to 400 mg twice daily.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Deep Skeletal Pain & Sciatica Draught (Hei Feng Teng Tong Luo Tang / 黑风藤舒筋透骨饮): Desmos cochinchinensis stems 15 g, Niu Xi 12 g, Sang Ji Sheng 15 g, Wei Ling Xian 10 g decocted in 700 mL water for 30 min; drink warm twice daily. 2. The Intermittent Malarial Fever Clearance Draught (Pisang-pisang Hutan Penawar Demam Kura): Desmos cochinchinensis stems 15 g, Qing Hao 12 g, Chai Hu 9 g, Fresh Ginger 6 g decocted in 600 mL water for 20 min.

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