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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Eye-Brightening, Psoriasis-Clearing & Rasayana Longevity Sovereign (清热解毒 / 凉血散结明目退翳消肿止痛治银屑病牛皮癣第一球花菊 — 印度草药与南洋排毒明目第一戴星草 / 皮肤顽癣克星)

    球花菊 / 戴星草 / 地芙蓉 / 印度球花菊 — Sphaeranthus indicus L. (syn. Sphaeranthus hirtus)

    Pinyin: Qiúhuājú / Dàixīngcǎo / Dìfúróng · Malay: Bunga Butang / Rumput Butang Merah / Gorakhmundi · Family: Asteraceae (菊科 / 旋覆花族)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Bitter, acrid, sweet, intensely aromatic (苦、辛、微甘、微寒、气味浓烈芳香)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Lung (肺), Spleen (脾)

    Traditional Edict

    Globe Thistle (Bunga Butang / Gorakhmundi / Qiu Hua Ju / Dai Xing Cao). Winged stems with velvet purple spherical flower heads. Supreme Rasayana Longevity Herb: cures chronic plaque psoriasis (silvery scales), dissolves scrofulous lymph nodes, clears corneal opacity.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Do not boil >30 min in open pots (preserves volatile eudesmanolides). CONTRAINDICATED during active pregnancy (uterine-stimulating dynamics). Safe during lactation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Chronic plaque psoriasis (keratinocyte anti-proliferative and IL-23/IL-17 downregulation), atopic dermatitis, scrofulous tuberculous lymphadenitis, corneal opacity (Tui Yi), and early cataracts.

    Quality Markers

    Sphaeranthine >= 0.50%, 7-Hydroxy-eudesmanolides & Essential Oils (Cadinene, Ocimene) >= 0.80% (HPLC Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. 7-Hydroxy-eudesmanolides inhibit NF-kB in dendritic cells, shutting down IL-23/IL-17 to halt psoriatic keratinocyte proliferation. 2. Sphaeranthoside inhibits lens aldose reductase to clear cataracts. 3. Lymphatic resolution.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN GORAKHMUNDI PSORIASIS & BLOOD-PURIFYING DECOCTION: 20 to 30 g dried whole herb boiled with Tu Fu Ling and Bai Xian Pi in 700 mL water for 25 min; taken twice daily for plaque psoriasis. Topical paste: 50 g fresh herb pounded with sesame oil.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Psoriasis & Chronic Dermatitis Quadriad with Smilax glabra (Tu Fu Ling) and Ku Shen. 2. Ophthalmic Cataract Draught with Cassia tora (Jue Ming Zi).

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