地胆头 / 苦地胆 / 草鞋底 — Elephantopus scaber L.

Pinyin: Dìdǎntóu / Kǔdìdǎn · Malay: Tutup Bumi / Tapak Liman · Family: Asteraceae (菊科)

Energetics

Cold (寒)

Flavor

Bitter, pungent, astringent (苦、辛、涩)

Meridians

Lung (肺), Liver (肝), Kidney (肾), Urinary Bladder (膀胱)

Traditional Edict

Clears toxic heat and purges pathogenic fire, cools blood and drains dampness, dispels swelling and neutralizes snake/insect poisons. Sovereign Lingnan/Malay herb for icteric hepatitis, tonsillitis, influenza fever, nephritis edema, and snakebites.

Cautions & Contraindications

Bitter and cold; excessive intake on empty stomach injures Spleen Yang. Contraindicated in cold-deficiency constitution and severe anemia without heat signs. Caution in pregnancy.

Clinical Applications

Acute/chronic viral hepatitis, elevated transaminases, acute tonsillitis, EBV nasopharyngeal carcinoma adjuvant therapy, bacterial dysentery, acute glomerulonephritis, and arthralgia.

Quality Markers

Deoxyelephantopin (去氧地胆草内酯) & Isodeoxyelephantopin >= 0.50% (HPLC MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Deoxyelephantopin suppresses NF-kB nuclear translocation, downregulates Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, and activates mitochondrial cytochrome c release in cancer cells. 2. Scavenges lipid peroxides and elevates hepatic SOD, halting ALT/AST elevation. 3. Lupeol and stigmasterol downregulate COX-2 and 5-LOX.

Preparation & Dosage

Cleaned whole plant with roots decocted 20-30 minutes: 10-20 g daily (up to 30-60 g in acute viral hepatitis). Simmered with duck/pork in Cantonese medicated soups.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Cantonese Sovereign Pharyngeal & Viral Throat Tea with Ilex asprella (Gang Mei) and Lonicera japonica (Jin Yin Hua). 2. Nanyang Anti-Hepatitis & Jaundice Decoction with Phyllanthus niruri and Curcuma xanthorrhiza.

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