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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Heat-Clearing, Antifungal & Anti-Herpetic Dermatological Sovereign (清热凉血 / 润肺止咳杀虫止痒抗病毒药)

    灵枝草 / 白鹤灵芝 / 仙鹤草 / 癣草 — Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz (syn. Justicia nasuta)

    Pinyin: Língzhīcǎo / Báihè Língzhī · Malay: Daun Burung Putih / Melur Hutan / Ubat Kurap Putih · Family: Acanthaceae (爵床科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Sweet, bland, slightly bitter (甘、淡、微苦)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Liver (肝), Stomach (胃)

    Traditional Edict

    Pure snow-white flowers resembling soaring white cranes. Clears toxic heat, moistens Lung, cools blood to stop cough, kills skin fungal parasites and stops intractable itching (Sha Chong Zhi Yang).

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Fresh leaves are vastly superior to aged dried herb for antifungal potency. Contraindicated in severe Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold diarrhea.

    Clinical Applications

    • Cutaneous ringworm (Kurap / Panau / tinea pedis / tinea cruris), Herpes Simplex (HSV-1, HSV-2), Herpes Zoster (shingles), chronic asthmatic cough, and pulmonary tuberculosis adjuvant.

    Quality Markers

    Rhinacanthin-C (白鹤灵芝素C) >= 1.00% & Rhinacanthin-D (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Rhinacanthin-C (naphthoquinone ester) inhibits fungal squalene epoxidase, compromising cell wall permeability in Trichophyton and Candida (MIC <= synthetic clotrimazole). 2. Binds HSV envelope glycoproteins, terminating viral DNA replication. 3. Downregulates NF-kB.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN WHITE CRANE RINGWORM PASTE: Fresh leaves crushed with alcohol/rice vinegar into paste, applied directly over ringworm twice daily. Dried herb decoction: 10-20 g. Standardized extract: 250-500 mg.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Sovereign Nanyang Anti-Ringworm & Tinea Synergy with Senna alata (Gelenggang) and Piper betle (Sirih) in virgin coconut oil. 2. Lung-Clearing Voice-Moistening Decoction with Lonicera.

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