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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Heat-Clearing, Fire-Purging, Heart-Clearing & Aphthous-Ulcer Sovereign (清热泻火 / 除烦止渴利尿通淋引心火下行治口疮小便赤痛要药)

    淡竹叶 / 竹叶门冬 / 金竹叶 / 碎骨子 — Lophatherum gracile Brongn. (syn. Lophatherum elatum)

    Pinyin: Dànzhúyè / Zhúyè Méndōng · Malay: Rumput Buluh / Rumput Daun Buluh / Rumput Kelurut Putih · Family: Poaceae (禾本科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold to Cool (寒 / 甘淡微寒)

    Flavor

    Sweet, bland (甘、淡)

    Meridians

    Heart (心), Stomach (胃), Small Intestine (小肠)

    Traditional Edict

    Mild Bamboo Leaf (Dan Zhu Ye / Rumput Buluh). Bamboo-like leaves with cross-veinlets and tuberous roots (Sui Gu Zi). Monarch for conducting Heart Fire downward: heals mouth canker sores, eliminates vexation thirst, unblocks burning dark urine.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Inspect dried leaves for transverse reticulate cross-veinlets (Xiao Heng Mai) to authenticate genuine Lophatherum. Contraindicated during active pregnancy (smooth muscle moving dynamics) and cold watery diarrhea.

    Clinical Applications

    • Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (canker sores), acute uncomplicated cystitis/urethritis (dysuria with burning dark urine), acute febrile dehydration, and mild essential hypertension.

    Quality Markers

    Orientin (荭草苷) + Vitexin (牡荆苷) >= 0.50% & Potassium Salts >= 3.00% (Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Orientin and vitexin downregulate iNOS, IL-1b, and TNF-a across oral mucosa, rapidly extinguishing burning canker sores and accelerating re-epithelialization. 2. High potassium downregulates renal AQP2 for osmotic diuretic flush. 3. Antipyretic action.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN HEART-FIRE CLEARING & APHTHOUS DRAUGHT (Dao Chi Tang): 10 g Dan Zhu Ye boiled with Raw Rehmannia, Licorice tip, and Plantago asiatica for mouth ulcers and burning urine. Dried aerial herb decoction: 6-15 g daily (up to 30 g).

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical Guide Out the Red Formula (Dao Chi San / 导赤散) with Raw Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang) and Licorice Tip. 2. Summer-Heat Vexation & Thirst Tea with Gypsum fibrosum (Shi Gao).

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