← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Pharyngeal-Soothing, Mumps-Resolving & Diuretic Monarch (清热解毒 / 利咽化痰清热利尿消肿散结治咽喉肿痛痄腮天泡疮第一草 — 岭南与南洋消炎清毒灯笼圣草)

    苦蘵 / 天泡子 / 灯笼草 / 炮仔草 / 小酸浆 — Physalis minima L. (syn. Physalis indica, Physalis parviflora)

    Pinyin: Kǔzhī / Tiānpàozǐ / Dēnglongcǎo · Malay: Letup-letup Kecil / Letup Kelambu / Ciplukan Kecil · Family: Solanaceae (茄科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold (寒 / 苦寒)

    Flavor

    Bitter, slightly sweet, cooling (苦、微甘、大寒)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Urinary Bladder (膀胱)

    Traditional Edict

    Pygmy Groundcherry (Letup-letup Kecil / Ku Zhi / Tian Pao Zi). Papery 5-angled bladder lanterns with yellow berries. Powerfully purges Lung-fire and Liver-toxin: cures acute tonsillitis sore throat, dissolves parotitis mumps (Zhadan), clears cystitis.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Pronounced bitter-cold nature (avoid prolonged use >14 days). CONTRAINDICATED in severe Spleen deficiency cold watery diarrhea. CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (uterine-toning properties).

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute follicular tonsillitis with pharyngeal erythema, viral parotitis (mumps), acute tracheobronchitis with yellow sputum, acute bacterial cystitis, and suppurative boils.

    Quality Markers

    Physalins A, B, D, F, G, L, M, O (Steroidal Withanolides) >= 1.00%-2.00% (HPLC/LC-MS standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Physalins B, D, and F inhibit NF-kB activation in pharyngeal and parotid epithelial cells, shutting down IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF-a to resolve mumps and throat edema. 2. Physalin A triggers tumor apoptosis via caspase cascades. 3. Flavonoid diuresis.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN LETUP-LETUP PHARYNGEAL FIRE-PURGING DECOCTION: 15 to 30 g dried whole herb boiled with Platycodon and Jin Yin Hua in 500 mL water for 15 min; sipped warm for sore throat. Mumps poultice: 50 g fresh plant pounded with rice vinegar.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Parotitis & Mumps Eradication Synergy with Isatis indigotica root (Ban Lan Gen) and Pu Gong Ying. 2. Acute Cystitis Strangury Draught with Plantago asiatica.

    Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

    No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

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