麻叶苘 / 扁担麻 / 细叶假木槿 / 假麻树 — Wissadula periplocifolia (L.) C.Presl ex Thwaites (syn. Wissadula rostrata)

Pinyin: Míyèqǐng / Biǎndànmá · Malay: Rumput Melong / Melong Hutan / Ketumbit Hutan · Family: Malvaceae (锦葵科)

Energetics

Cool (微凉 / 凉)

Flavor

Sweet, bland, mucilaginous, slightly bitter (甘、淡、滑、微苦)

Meridians

Lung (肺), Urinary Bladder (膀胱), Large Intestine (大肠)

Traditional Edict

Tough fibrous bast stems yielding copious slippery mucilage. Clears toxic heat, drains dampness to unblock strangury, draws out pus from carbuncles, moistens Lung, lubricates bowels.

Cautions & Contraindications

Do not boil excessively (>40 min) to avoid degrading high-molecular mucilage. Contraindicated in severe damp-cold diarrhea without heat signs.

Clinical Applications

Acute/recurrent cystitis (suppressing UPEC bacterial adhesion), acute non-gonococcal urethritis, acute pharyngitis with mucosal dryness, purulent abscesses, and senile dry constipation.

Quality Markers

Acidic Mucilage Polysaccharides >= 5.00%, Tiliroside & Gossypetin (HPLC MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Soluble acidic arabinogalactan mucilage forms a protective hydrogel over bladder and urethral urothelium, preventing UPEC bacterial pili adhesion. 2. Tiliroside downregulates NF-kB and COX-2. 3. Osmotic non-irritating bowel lubrication.

Preparation & Dosage

Dried whole herb in decoction: 15-30 g daily (simmer 15-20 min; do not over-boil). Fresh mucilaginous leaf paste for drawing boils and breast abscesses: 30-60 g. Dried flower tea: 10-15 g.

Appended Prescriptions

1. The Sovereign Nanyang Uro-Clearing & Strangury Formula with Plantago asiatica and Smilax glabra (Tu Fu Ling). 2. Purulent Furuncle Drawing Poultice with Basella rubra (Yanzi Teng).

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