儿茶钩藤 / 棕儿茶 / 槟榔膏 — Uncaria gambir (Hunter) Roxb.

Pinyin: Érchá Gōuténg / Zōng'érchá · Malay: Gambir / Gambier / Getah Gambir · Family: Rubiaceae (茜草科)

Energetics

Cool (凉)

Flavor

Bitter, astringent, sweet (苦、涩、甘)

Meridians

Lung (肺), Heart (心), Large Intestine (大肠)

Traditional Edict

Clears heat and transforms phlegm, astringes wounds and generates flesh, cools blood to stop bleeding. For aphthous mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, bloody cough, diabetic sores, burns, and dysentery.

Cautions & Contraindications

Over-astringency causes acute constipation. Contraindicated in acute un-purged damp-heat dysentery and severe Spleen deficiency cold constipation.

Clinical Applications

Oral stomatitis, recurrent aphthous ulcers, periodontitis, superficial bleeding cuts, burn wound epithelialization, MRSA wound infections, and chronic colitis.

Quality Markers

(+)-Catechin (儿茶素) >= 20.00% & Total Flavonoids >= 50.00% (Chinese Pharmacopoeia / MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. (+)-Catechin (20-50%) cross-links dermal collagen matrices, inhibits MMP-1 and MMP-8, downregulates TNF-a, and accelerates wound granulation. 2. Catechin polymers disrupt bacterial outer membranes of S. mutans, P. gingivalis, and MRSA. 3. Gambirine alkaloids exert mild vasorelaxation.

Preparation & Dosage

Internal decoction (wrapped in filter paper): 1-3 g daily. Swallowed as powder: 0.5-1.5 g. Topical powder/paste: Applied locally 3-5 times daily.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Sovereign Aphthous Ulcer & Oral Healing Powder with Borneol (Bing Pian) and Pearl Powder. 2. Nanyang Wound & Hemorrhoid Astringent Liniment with Piper betle (Sirih) and Basella rubra (Yanzi Teng).

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