← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Antimalarial, Febrifuge & Stomach-Stimulating Quassinoid Sovereign (清热燥湿 / 泻火解毒截疟退热健胃消食杀虫止痒 — 南洋苦木截疟第一树)

    爪哇苦木 / 南苦木 / 苦木同属 / 苦胆木 — Picrasma javanica Blume (syn. Picrasma nepalensis)

    Pinyin: Zhuǎwā Kǔmù / Nán Kǔmù · Malay: Pokok Pahit / Kayu Pahit / Pahit-pahit · Family: Simaroubaceae (苦木科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold (寒 / 苦寒)

    Flavor

    Intensely bitter, lingering clean bitterness (大苦、极苦、大寒)

    Meridians

    Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝), Large Intestine (大肠)

    Traditional Edict

    Javanese Quassia (Pokok Pahit / Zhua Wa Ku Mu). Bright yellow intensely bitter wood and bark. Sovereign rainforest antimalarial: terminates resistant intermittent jungle fevers, stimulates gustatory digestive secretions in anorexia, heals amoebic dysentery.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Extreme lingering bitterness (always advise patients). Adhere to therapeutic limits (do not exceed 15 g daily). CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (mild uterine-stimulating dynamics) and severe gastric ulcers.

    Clinical Applications

    • Chloroquine-resistant malaria fevers (schizonticidal action), functional anorexia and gastric atony (gustatory reflex stimulation), acute bacillary/amoebic dysentery, and cutaneous scabies.

    Quality Markers

    Javanicin, Quassin, Neoquassin & b-Carboline Alkaloids (1-vinyl-4,8-dimethoxy-b-carboline) >= 0.50% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Javanicin quassinoids and b-carbolines inhibit protein translation in Plasmodium falciparum, arresting erythrocytic schizogony. 2. Extreme bitterness activates lingual T2R receptors, vagally stimulating gastric acid. 3. Antidysenteric bactericidal lysis.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN JAVANESE ANTIMALARIAL & FEBRIFUGE DECOCTION: 5 to 10 g dried sliced yellow wood chips or bark boiled in 400 mL water for 20 min; taken warm twice daily during fevers. Stomachic aperitif bitter infusion: 1-2 g wood chips in hot water before meals.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Rainforest Anti-Malarial Synergy with Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and Andrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi). 2. Spleen-Stimulating Aperitif Tonic with Cinnamomum cassia.

    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