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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Extreme-Bitter Heat-Clearing, Fire-Purging & Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infective (清热燥湿 / 泻火解毒杀虫止痢消肿药)

    苦木 / 苦树 / 苦皮树 / 苦胆木 — Picrasma quassioides (D.Don) Benn. (and Quassia amara L.)

    Pinyin: Kǔmù / Kǔshù / Kǔdǎnmù · Malay: Kayu Pahit / Pahit-pahit / Raja Pahit · Family: Simaroubaceae (苦木科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold (寒), Mildly Toxic (有小毒)

    Flavor

    Extremely Bitter (极苦)

    Meridians

    Large Intestine (大肠), Liver (肝), Lung (肺)

    Traditional Edict

    King of Bitter Woods. Saturated with penetrating quassinoid bitterness. Clears toxic heat, purges fire, dries dampness, halts bacillary dysentery, terminates malaria fevers, kills parasites.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Extreme bitterness and mild toxicity; do not use in excessive doses (causes vomiting). STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED in pregnancy and severe Spleen deficiency cold diarrhea.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute bacillary dysentery (Shigella), acute biliary tract infections (cholecystitis), upper respiratory viral fevers, pediculosis (head lice), and scabies.

    Quality Markers

    Nigakinone (苦木酮) >= 0.15%, Picrasidine & Quassin (Chinese Pharmacopoeia / MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Nigakinone and $\beta$-carboline alkaloids (picrasidines) inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase, exhibiting broad-spectrum bactericidal activity. 2. Quassinoids stimulate bile secretion and downregulate NF-kB. 3. Paralyzes neuromuscular transmission in lice and scabies mites.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Chipped dried heartwood/bark decocted 15-20 minutes: 3-6 g daily (up to 9 g in acute severe dysentery). Topical decoction wash for head lice and scabies: 15-30 g boiled in water.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Sovereign Anti-Dysenteric & Biliary Cleansing Decoction with Coptis chinensis (Huang Lian) and Gardenia. 2. Topical Pediculosis & Scabies Wash with Stemona sessilifolia (Bai Bu).

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