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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Drastic Hydragogue Cathartic, Ascites-Purging & Hepato-Biliary Monarch (泻下逐水 / 通便导滞清热利胆消肿解毒大毒峻药 — 印度阿育吠陀逐水排毒第一藤根 / 峻下通滞圣药)

    盒果藤 / 假牵牛 / 盒藤 / 白果藤 — Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (syn. Convolvulus turpethum, Ipomoea turpethum)

    Pinyin: Héguǒténg / Jiǎ Qiānniú · Malay: Akar Turpeth / Turpeth / Akar Tengkolok · Family: Convolvulaceae (旋花科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm to Neutral (温 / 辛热微苦), Toxic in overdose (有毒)

    Flavor

    Pungent, bitter, acrid, sweet (辛、苦、微甘、峻烈)

    Meridians

    Large Intestine (大肠), Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Urinary Bladder (膀胱)

    Traditional Edict

    Indian Jalap (Akar Turpeth / Trivrit / He Guo Teng). 3-winged square stems and fleshy roots. Supreme Ayurvedic hydragogue cathartic monarch (Trivrit) for evacuating stubborn ascites dropsy, clearing biliary jaundice, and purging refractory toxic constipation.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • DRASTIC PURGATIVE & OVERDOSE WARNING: Overdose (>6 g) causes violent watery purging, severe tenesmus, dehydration, and circulatory collapse. ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (potent abortifacient), INFANTS, and ulcer patients.

    Clinical Applications

    • Refractory cirrhotic ascites and generalized dropsy, chronic severe atonic constipation, obstructive biliary jaundice with hepatomegaly, and gouty arthritis.

    Quality Markers

    Turpethin (Resin Glycosides) >= 3.0%-5.0% & Turpethic Acid (HPLC Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Turpethin resin glycosides hydrolyze in alkaline duodenum into turpethic acid, intensely stimulating colonic mucosal Auerbach's plexus to trigger profuse watery evacuations. 2. Stimulates biliary bile acid secretion. 3. Antigout xanthine oxidase inhibition.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN TRIVRIT ASCITES-PURGING POWDER (Trivrit Churna / 盒果藤逐水散): 1 to 3 g purified powdered root bark taken with warm milk, ginger water, or honey (produces 2-4 watery evacuations within 3-6 hours). Sliced root decoction: 3-6 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical Ayurvedic Biliary & Ascites Purging Formula (Avipattikar Churna) with Triphala and Ginger. 2. Severe Cirrhotic Dropsy Evacuation Synergy with Alisma orientalis (Ze Xie).

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