土茯苓 / 冷饭团 / 草禹余粮 — Smilax glabra Roxb.

Pinyin: Tǔfúlíng / Lěngfàntuán · Malay: Gadung Tikus / Akar Banar · Family: Smilacaceae (菝葜科)

Energetics

Neutral (平)

Flavor

Sweet, bland (甘、淡)

Meridians

Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Kidney (肾)

Traditional Edict

Clears damp-heat toxins, unblocks joints, purges mercury and heavy metal poisons. Cornerstone of Lingnan Guilinggao jelly for joint pain, syphilis, eczema, and toxic boils.

Cautions & Contraindications

Do not drink green tea concurrently (tannins precipitate astilbin). Contraindicated in Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency without dampness.

Clinical Applications

Hyperuricemic gouty arthritis, heavy metal intoxication (mercury/lead chelation), chronic eczema, psoriasis, diabetic nephropathy, and syphilitic spirochete sores.

Quality Markers

Astilbin (落新妇苷) >= 0.80% (Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Astilbin selectively downregulates macrophage TNF-a, IL-1b, and COX-2 via NF-kB suppression, lowering joint swelling. 2. Astilbin upregulates renal uric acid transporter (OAT1/OAT3), accelerating urinary urate clearance. 3. Chelate heavy metal ions, promoting renal and fecal excretion.

Preparation & Dosage

Thick starchy root slices decocted 30-45 minutes: 15-30 g daily (up to 60 g in acute gout or toxic poisoning). Simmered with turtle shell in traditional Guilinggao.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Classical Guilinggao Jelly Formula with Cuora turtle plastron, Lonicera japonica, and Taraxacum. 2. Gout & Hyperuricemia Cleansing Decoction with Dioscorea septemloba (Bi Xie) and Achyranthes.

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