Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
古柯青牛胆 / 泰国青牛胆 / 粗茎青牛胆 / 巨藤 — Tinospora baenzigeri Forman
Pinyin: Gǔkē Qīngniúdǎn / Tàiguó Qīngniúdǎn · Malay: Patawali Gajah / Thai Moonseed / Thai Guduchi / Batang Wali Besar · Family: Menispermaceae (防己科)
Energetics
Extremely Cold (大寒 / 苦寒)
Flavor
Overwhelmingly and purely bitter, tongue-numbing (大苦、极苦、大寒、麻舌)
Meridians
Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Large Intestine (大肠)
Traditional Edict
Thai Moonseed (Patawali Gajah / Gu Ke Qing Niu Dan). Giant warty succulent lianas. Supreme Giant Bitter Vine: extinguishes chloroquine-resistant malarial swamp fevers, activates AMPK to lower diabetic blood sugar, clears amoebic dysentery, and relieves arthritis.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Extreme bitterness (take after meals). STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (potent uterine contractility). Monitor blood glucose closely when combined with Metformin/Insulin to prevent hypoglycemia.
Clinical Applications
- Chloroquine-resistant malaria and tropical intermittent pyrexia (schizonticidal adjuvant), Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (insulin sensitization and hepatic gluconeogenesis suppression), and acute dysentery.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Furanoditerpene lactones (columbin, tinocrisposide) disrupt Plasmodium falciparum hemozoin crystallization. 2. Palmatine and berberine activate AMPK and upregulate skeletal GLUT4 to lower glucose.
Preparation & Dosage
THE BITTER ANTIMALARIAL & GLYCEMIC DECOCTION: 5 to 10 g dried warty stem slices boiled in 500 mL water for 30 min until reduced to 250 mL bitter broth; taken in 2 divided doses after meals. Stem powder: 500 to 1000 mg in capsules twice daily.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. Sovereign Malaria Swamp Fever Draught with Andrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi) and Qing Hao. 2. Diabetic Wasting Thirst Dual-Bitter Compound with Momordica charantia.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only
