火索麻 / 扭肚藤 — Helicteres isora L.

Pinyin: Huǒsuǒmá / Niǔdùténg · Malay: Cabai Tali / Kayu Ules · Family: Malvaceae / Sterculiaceae (锦葵科 / 梧桐科)

Energetics

Cool (微凉 / 凉)

Flavor

Bitter, astringent, slightly pungent (苦、涩、微辛)

Meridians

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

Traditional Edict

Clears toxic heat, dispels dampness, relieves griping spasms, and binds intestines to halt dysentery. Sovereign Nanyang botanical for acute colicky griping abdominal tenesmus (Niudu colic).

Cautions & Contraindications

Overdose of raw concentrated decoction causes nausea. Contraindicated in mechanical intestinal obstruction and pure Spleen deficiency watery cold diarrhea.

Clinical Applications

Acute infectious gastroenteritis (Shigella, Salmonella), IBS-D, gut smooth muscle hypermotility, Type 2 Diabetes hyperglycemia, and gut barrier disruption.

Quality Markers

Cucurbitacin B & Isocucurbitacin B >= 0.50% (HPLC/LC-MS)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Cucurbitacins B and iso-B downregulate intestinal NF-kB, suppressing NO and PGE2 enterotoxin-induced fluid hypersecretion. 2. Phenolic glycosides block voltage-gated calcium channels in circular smooth muscle, arresting spastic colic. 3. Inhibits intestinal a-glucosidase.

Preparation & Dosage

Dried screw fruits in decoction: 6-15 g daily (often dry-parched). Dried root/bark: 10-20 g. Standardized extract: 250-500 mg.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Nanyang Acute Enteric Colic & Dysentery Remedy with Pogostemon cablin, Coptis chinensis, and Pueraria root. 2. Glycemic Gut Harmony Infusion with Gynura procumbens.

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