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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Liver-Pacifying, Anticonvulsant & Antihypertensive Sovereign (平肝息风 / 清热平肝熄风止痉镇惊潜阳降血压安神定悸治小儿惊风抽搐第一钩藤 — 儿科惊风与高血压头痛药王 / 神经保护与抗震颤圣藤)

    钩藤 / 鹰爪风 / 吊藤 / 双钩藤 / 倒挂金钩 / 金钩藤 — Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil. (syn. Uncaria sinensis)

    Pinyin: Gōuténg / Yīngzhuǎfēng / Shuānggōuténg · Malay: Pokok Kait-kait / Akar Kait-kait / Gambir Hutan / Kait-kait Rimbun · Family: Rubiaceae (茜草科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Sweet, slightly bitter (甘、微苦、微寒)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Pericardium (心包)

    Traditional Edict

    Cat's Claw / Hook Vine (Pokok Kait-kait / Gou Teng / Shuang Gou). Paired downward-curved woody thorns. Undisputed Monarch for Extinguishing Liver Wind: pacifies pediatric high-fever convulsions (Xiao Er Jing Feng), terminates hypertensive tension headaches, calms tremors.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • MANDATORY SHORT-BOIL (Hou Xia 10-15 min; NEVER boil >20 min). CONTRAINDICATED in severe bradycardia and hypotension. Safe during lactation in standard infusions. Caution in early pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Pediatric febrile convulsions and infantile epilepsy (GABAergic and calcium channel neuro-sedation), Stage 1 and 2 essential hypertension, vascular tension headaches, and Parkinsonian tremors.

    Quality Markers

    Rhynchophylline (钩藤碱) >= 0.10%-0.25%, Isorhynchophylline >= 0.08%-0.20% & Corynoxeine (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Rhynchophylline enhances GABAA chloride influx, raising seizure threshold to arrest febrile convulsions. 2. Isorhynchophylline blocks L-type calcium channels and a1-receptors, lowering blood pressure. 3. Dopaminergic neuroprotection.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL PAOZHI SHORT-BOILING MANDATE (Hou Xia 后下): Oxindole alkaloids are heat-labile (>20 min boiling destroys 60% of actives). Always add Gou Teng during the FINAL 10 TO 15 MINUTES of boiling only. Take 10 to 15 g dried hooked twigs. Pediatric dose: 3-6 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (Antihypertensive Monarch) with Gastrodia elata (Tian Ma) and Shi Jue Ming. 2. Pediatric Febrile Convulsion Emergency Draught with Bombyx batryticatus (Jiang Can).

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