天仙藤 / 黄藤根 / 连翘藤 / 黄连藤 — Fibraurea tinctoria Lour. (syn. Fibraurea recisa Pierre)

Pinyin: Tiānxiānténg / Huángténggēn · Malay: Akar Sekuning / Kayu Kuning / Sekuning · Family: Menispermaceae (防己科)

Energetics

Cold (寒)

Flavor

Extremely Bitter (极苦)

Meridians

Heart (心), Liver (肝), Large Intestine (大肠)

Traditional Edict

Rainforest yellow vine. Clears toxic heat, purges fire, dries dampness, halts bacillary dysentery, cools blood, and brightens eyes. For acute gastroenteritis, red swollen eyes, and jaundice.

Cautions & Contraindications

Extremely bitter and cold; excessive use injures Spleen-Stomach. Contraindicated in Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold diarrhea and pregnancy.

Clinical Applications

Acute bacillary dysentery, acute infective conjunctivitis (eye drops), Type 2 Diabetes (AMPK activation), pelvic inflammatory disease, and purulent skin boils.

Quality Markers

Palmatine (巴马汀) >= 1.50% & Berberine via HPLC (Chinese Pharmacopoeia / MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Palmatine and berberine intercalate into bacterial DNA and disrupt cell membrane permeability in Shigella, Salmonella, and S. aureus. 2. Palmatine activates AMPK, promoting muscle glucose uptake and lowering blood sugar. 3. Downregulates NF-kB and COX-2.

Preparation & Dosage

Sliced dried yellow woody vine discs decocted 20-30 minutes: 5-10 g daily. Standardized Palmatine extract: 250-500 mg. Filtered aqueous decoction for ophthalmic wash.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Sovereign Anti-Dysenteric & Enteric Formula with Andrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi) and Pueraria lobata. 2. Ophthalmic Heat-Clearing Eye Wash with Coptis chinensis and Distilled Water.

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