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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Heat-Clearing, Diuretic Lithagogue & Swelling-Dispersing Sovereign (清热解毒 / 利湿通淋排石化瘀消肿止痛药)

    水蓑衣 / 穿心草 / 鱼骨草 / 水向日葵 — Hygrophila ringens (L.) R.Br. ex Spreng. (syn. Hygrophila salicifolia)

    Pinyin: Shuǐsuōyī / Chuānxīncǎo · Malay: Daun Rusa / Rumput Rusa / Keremak Rusa · Family: Acanthaceae (爵床科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Bitter, sweet, bland (苦、甘、淡)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Water Willow (Daun Rusa / Shui Suo Yi). Willow-like leaves and pale purple bilabiate flowers. Clears toxic heat, unblocks burning urinary strangury, dissolves and expels kidney stones (Ubat Batu Karang), relieves nephritis edema, and heals contusions.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Maintain high hydration (>2.5 L water daily) when treating urinary stones. Contraindicated in complete mechanical urinary tract obstruction requiring surgery. Caution in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Calcium oxalate urolithiasis/nephrolithiasis (stone dissolution/flushing), acute cystitis, acute glomerulonephritis edema, post-traumatic musculoskeletal hematomas, and furuncles.

    Quality Markers

    Lupeol, Stigmasterol, Betulin, Apigenin-7-O-glucoside & Potassium Salts >= 2.50% (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. High natural potassium salts and apigenin elevate urinary pH and increase urinary citrate, dissolving calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals. 2. Lupeol downregulates renal NF-kB and COX-2. 3. Microvascular hematoma resorption.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Whole dried herb in decoction: 15-30 g daily (up to 60 g in acute urolithiasis). THE SOVEREIGN WATER WILLOW STONE-EXPELLING TEA: 30 g Hygrophila boiled with Desmodium styracifolium and Orthosiphon for kidney stones. Fresh poultice: 30-50 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Nanyang Nephrolithiasis Stone-Expelling Formula with Desmodium styracifolium (Guang Jin Qian Cao) and Orthosiphon. 2. Traumatic Swelling Poultice with Curcuma longa.

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