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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Microtubule-Stabilizing Antineoplastic & Gastroprotective Sovereign (清热解毒 / 降血压理气止痛散瘀消肿胃脘痛止血抗肿瘤 — 东南亚降血压与胃溃疡第一神花 / 天然紫杉醇类微管稳定抗癌新星 / 止痛解毒药王)

    黑蝙蝠花 / 老虎须 / 箭根薯 / 蝙蝠草 / 水田七同属 / 黑蝴蝶 — Tacca chantrieri André (syn. Tacca cristata, Tacca lancifolia)

    Pinyin: Hēi Biānfú Huā / Lǎohǔxū / Jiàngēnshǔ · Malay: Pokok Janggut Adam / Janggut Adam / Janggut Baung / Kumis Kucing Hitam · Family: Dioscoreaceae (薯蓣科 / 蒟蒻薯科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (寒 / 苦寒)

    Flavor

    Bitter, acrid, sweetish, slightly numbing (苦、辛、微甘、大寒、微麻舌)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Black Bat Flower / Tiger's Whiskers (Janggut Adam / Lao Hu Xu). Purple-black bat-wing bracts with 30 cm trailing whisker bracteoles. Sovereign for lowering high blood pressure, relieves gastric ulcer pain, and natural source of paclitaxel-like microtubule anticancer taccalonolides.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Do not overdose (>25 g daily of raw rhizome causes nausea). CONTRAINDICATED in active pregnancy (strong Qi-descending and emmenagogue dynamics). Safe during lactation in moderate doses.

    Clinical Applications

    • Stage 1 and 2 essential hypertension, chronic gastric and duodenal peptic ulcers, oncology adjuvant care (paclitaxel-resistant tumor apoptosis induction via Taccalonolides), and hepatitis.

    Quality Markers

    Taccalonolides A, B, E, H, T (Steroidal Microtubule Stabilizers) >= 0.50%-1.20% & Taccabulins >= 0.80% (HPLC/LC-MS)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Taccalonolides bind covalently to tubulin, stabilizing microtubules and arresting cancer cell mitosis at G2/M phase even in taxane-resistant tumors. 2. Steroidal lactones downregulate gastric H+/K+-ATPase and buffer mucosal ulcers.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN JANGGUT ADAM HYPERTENSIVE & GASTRIC DECOCTION: 10 to 15 g dried rhizome chips boiled in 500 mL water for 25 min; taken warm twice daily for hypertension or peptic ulcer pain. Fresh poultice: 30 g fresh rhizome for traumatic swelling.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Gastric Peptic Ulcer Healing Synergy with Bletilla striata (Bai Ji) and Licorice. 2. Liver-Yang Hypertension Clearance Draught with Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou Teng).

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