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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Collateral-Dredging, Channel-Unblocking, Milk-Promoting & Mastitis Sovereign (通经活络 / 清热化痰祛风除湿通乳消肿解毒引经药 — 经络疏通第一藤络)

    丝瓜 / 丝瓜络 / 蛮瓜 / 天罗 / 纯阳草 — Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. (syn. Luffa cylindrica)

    Pinyin: Sīguā / Sīguālùo / Tiānluó · Malay: Petola Manis / Petola Licin / Petola Bulat · Family: Cucurbitaceae (葫芦科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Neutral to Cool (平 / 微凉)

    Flavor

    Sweet, bland, earthy (甘、淡)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Luffa Reticulate Sponge (Si Gua Luo / Petola Manis). 3D woven vascular skeleton mirroring human meridians. Supreme Collateral-Dredging Sovereign (Jing Luo Shu Tong Di Yi Tao Luo): unblocks milk ducts in acute mastitis (Ru Yong), relieves chest neuralgia, dredges arthritis.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Inspect Si Gua Luo to ensure it is clean, free of black seeds, and yellowish-white. High safety profile. Contraindicated in excessive loose watery diarrhea without stagnation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute suppurative mastitis (resolving ductal obstruction and breast lumps), postpartum lactation insufficiency, intercostal neuralgia, post-stroke hemiplegic numbness, and rheumatoid arthritis.

    Quality Markers

    Oleanolic Acid Glycosides >= 1.00%, Luffein (Ribosome-Inactivating Protein) & Lignin Reticular Matrix >= 60.0% (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Luffein and saponins downregulate VCAM-1 and TNF-a across mammary ductal epithelium, decreasing vascular permeability, resolving edema, and dilating plugged lactiferous sinuses. 2. Endothelial eNOS vasodilation. 3. Fibrous matrix lymphatic drainage.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN POSTPARTUM MASTITIS & MILK-UNBLOCKING BROTH: 15 g Si Gua Luo simmered with Vaccaria segetalis (Wang Bu Liu Xing), Tetrapanax (Tong Cao), and organic pig trotter/fish for 1h. CHARRED LUFFA SPONGE (Si Gua Luo Tan): Calcinated in sealed pot: 6-10 g for bleeding.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Acute Mastitis & Breast-Unblocking Synergy with Taraxacum mongolicum (Pu Gong Ying) and Vaccaria segetalis. 2. Intercostal Neuralgia Decoction with Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu).

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