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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Heat-Clearing, Postpartum Involution & Anti-Ulcer Sovereign (清热利湿 / 消肿解毒活血化瘀收敛生肌消痈排脓药)

    头花耳草 / 攀援耳草 / 团花耳草 / 假蛇舌草 — Hedyotis capitellata Wall. ex G.Don (syn. Oldenlandia capitellata)

    Pinyin: Tóuhuā Ěrcǎo / Pānyuán Ěrcǎo · Malay: Akar Sekepah / Sekepah / Pokok Sekepah · Family: Rubiaceae (茜草科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Bitter, sweet, bland, slightly astringent (苦、甘、淡、涩)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Large Intestine (大肠), Spleen (脾)

    Traditional Edict

    Climbing Head-Flowered Ear Herb (Akar Sekepah). Dense globose flower heads. Indispensable royal postpartum confinement herb (Ubat Bersalin) for clearing retained lochia, firming pelvic floor, healing peptic ulcers, and clearing burning cystitis.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguish from prostrate Hedyotis diffusa; H. capitellata is a large climbing liana with globose head-like cymes. High safety profile. Contraindicated in cold watery diarrhea without heat signs.

    Clinical Applications

    • Peptic ulcer disease (gastric mucosal cytoprotection and acid blunting), postpartum pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), acute/recurrent cystitis (Kencing Kotor), bacillary dysentery, and atopic dermatitis.

    Quality Markers

    Iridoid Glucosides (Asperuloside, Geniposidic Acid, Scandoside) >= 0.80% & Ursolic Acid (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Asperuloside and scandoside stimulate gastric mucosal microcirculation and PGE2/bicarbonate secretion, healing peptic ulcers. 2. Ursolic/oleanolic acids downregulate pelvic TNF-a and IL-1b for uterine lochia clearance. 3. Diuretic bacterial flush.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN POSTPARTUM SEKEPAH INVOLUTION BROTH: 30 g dried stems/leaves simmered with Temulawak and Halia Bara in 1 L water for 30 min. Peptic ulcer decoction: 15-30 g daily before meals. Fresh poultice for boils: 30-50 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Postpartum Womb-Restoring Synergy with Labisia pumila (Kacip Fatimah) and Curcuma mangga. 2. Gastro-Cytoprotective Peptic Ulcer Decoction with Basella rubra (Yanzi Teng).

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