Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
红花丹 / 紫雪花 / 鲜红花丹 / 红雪花 / 赤华丹 — Plumbago indica L. (syn. Plumbago rosea)
Pinyin: Hónghuādān / Zǐxuěhuā / Xiānhóng Huādān · Malay: Ceraka Merah / Akar Ceraka / Bunga Celaka / Rakta Chitrak · Family: Plumbaginaceae (白花丹科)
Energetics
Warm to Hot (大温 / 辛热), Extremely Toxic internally / Blistering vesicant (有大毒 / 极烈腐蚀起泡)
Flavor
Pungent, acrid, burning corrosive, bitter, numbing (大辛、苦、大热、剧毒、麻舌、辛烈灼口)
Meridians
Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Conception Vessel (任脉), Uterus (胞宫)
Traditional Edict
Red Plumbago (Ceraka Merah / Rakta Chitrak). Fiery scarlet flowers and glandular sticky calyces. Heroic Blood-Breaking Monarch: dissolves obstinate abdominal tumors, shatters amenorrhea, expels dead fetus, kills ringworm. EXTREMELY TOXIC & ABORTIFACIENT.
Cautions & Contraindications
- ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (LETHAL ABORTIFACIENT HAZARD). SKIN BLISTERING WARNING: Raw leaves applied >20 min cause severe chemical burns. Oral overdose causes fatal bloody gastroenteritis. Strictly prohibited in children.
Clinical Applications
- Refractory solid tumors (plumbagin-induced cancer cell ROS apoptosis), obstinate amenorrhea from blood stasis, severe closed traumatic contusions, and recalcitrant tinea ringworm.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Plumbagin stimulates myometrial a1-adrenergic receptors, triggering violent sustained uterine contractions and abortion. 2. Intracellular ROS generation triggers Caspase-3/9 tumor apoptosis. 3. Naphthoquinones react with skin keratins causing chemical blistering.
Preparation & Dosage
CRITICAL PAOZHI MANDATE: SHODHANA PURIFICATION IN LIME WATER: Roots soaked in lime water for 24h to reduce corrosiveness before use. Standardized Internal Powder (Under Strict Medical Oversight): 0.1-0.3 g daily (max 0.5 g). External Die Da wine: 2-5% tincture.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. Heroic Pelvic Blood-Breaking Synergy (Strict Prescription Only) with Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui) and Chi Shao. 2. External Rheumatic Sciatica Liniment with Melaleuca cajuputi (Kayu Putih).
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only
