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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Kidney-Yang Fortifying, Sinew-Strengthening & Anti-Rheumatic Sovereign (温肾壮阳 / 祛风除湿强筋壮骨通经活络散瘀止痛消肿解毒药 — 南洋风湿瘫痪要药)

    百眼藤 / 伞花巴戟 / 假巴戟 / 小茶藤 / 目疮藤 — Morinda umbellata L. (syn. Morinda scandens)

    Pinyin: Bǎiyǎnténg / Sǎnhuā Bājǐ · Malay: Mengkudu Akar / Akar Mengkudu / Mengkudu Hutan · Family: Rubiaceae (茜草科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (微温 / 温)

    Flavor

    Pungent, sweet, slightly bitter (辛、甘、微苦)

    Meridians

    Kidney (肾), Liver (肝), Spleen (脾)

    Traditional Edict

    Hundred-Eyed Vine (Mengkudu Akar / Bai Yan Teng). Climbing Morinda with small multi-eyed syncarp fruit umbels and knotty yellow root. Warms Kidney-Yang, fortifies lumbar spine and knees, relieves chronic knee arthritis and sciatica, dredges paralysis.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguish from tree Morinda citrifolia (Mengkudu); M. umbellata is a climbing liana with 1 cm syncarps in umbels. Contraindicated during active pregnancy (blood-activating dynamics).

    Clinical Applications

    • Chronic rheumatoid arthritis (synovial cytokine down-regulation), lumbar spondylosis with sciatica, degenerative knee osteoarthritis, and post-traumatic contusions.

    Quality Markers

    Rubiadin, Rubiadin-1-methyl ether, Morindin, Damnacanthal & Anthraquinones >= 1.50% (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Rubiadin and damnacanthal suppress synovial IL-1b, MMP-1/13, and RANKL osteoclastogenesis, preserving articular cartilage. 2. Triterpenes stimulate osteoblast ALP mineralization. 3. Peripheral C-fiber neuro-analgesia.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN NANYANG HUNDRED-EYED SINEW-STRENGTHENING MEDICATED WINE: 50 g dried vine discs steeped with Spatholobus suberectus and Eucommia ulmoides in 1.5 L rice wine for 30 days: 15-30 mL at bedtime. Dried vine decoction: 15-30 g daily.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Lumbar Sciatica & Joint-Unblocking Synergy with Ichnocarpus frutescens (Yao Gu Teng) and Eucommia. 2. Rainforest Rheumatoid Arthritis Decoction with Hiptage benghalensis.

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