← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Heat-Clearing, Spleen-Awakening, Lipid-Lowering & Anti-Neoplastic Xanthone Sovereign (清热解毒 / 消食化积降脂减肥化痰平喘杀虫止痒抗癌药)

    云南甘榄 / 刺藤黄 / 可娃藤黄 / 丫叶藤黄 — Garcinia cowa Roxb. ex Choisy (syn. Garcinia roxburghii)

    Pinyin: Yúnnán Gānlǎn / Cì Ténghuáng · Malay: Kandis / Asam Kandis / Kandis Burung · Family: Clusiaceae (藤黄科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Sour, astringent, slightly bitter (酸、涩、微苦)

    Meridians

    Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝), Lung (肺)

    Traditional Edict

    Asam Kandis (Cowa Mangosteen). Ribbed yellow-orange sour fruits crowned by button stigmas. Indispensable culinary acid that cuts greasy fats. Clears toxic heat, purges turbid fat, transforms food stagnation, relieves asthmatic phlegm, dissolves tumors.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • High natural HCA acidity may irritate empty stomachs in active peptic ulcers (always take with food or buffer with honey). Contraindicated in cold watery diarrhea without stagnation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Hyperlipidemia and visceral obesity (ATP-citrate lyase inhibition via HCA), acute/chronic bronchitis, multi-drug resistant bacterial infections (MRSA), acute dysentery, and leukemia/colorectal cancer adjuvant.

    Quality Markers

    Cowanin, Cowanol >= 2.00% & Hydroxycitric Acid ((-)-HCA) >= 15.0%-25.0% in dried pericarp (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. (-)-HCA competitively inhibits ATP-citrate lyase (Ki=0.15 uM), shutting down de novo hepatic lipogenesis and stimulating 5-HT satiety. 2. Cowanin and prenylated xanthones trigger mitochondrial apoptosis in carcinoma lines. 3. Potent anti-MRSA bactericidal lysis (MIC 1.5-6.25 ug/mL).

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN SUN-DRIED ASAM KANDIS SLICES: 1-2 slices (5-10 g) added directly into therapeutic stews, curries, and teas for lipid reduction. Dried pericarp/leaf decoction: 10-15 g. Standardized HCA/Xanthone extract: 250-500 mg twice daily before meals.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Nanyang Lipid-Lowering Broth with Garcinia atroviridis (Asam Gelugur) and Crataegus (Shan Zha). 2. Rainforest Antitussive Decoction with Siraitia grosvenorii (Luo Han Guo).

    Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

    No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

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