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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Aromatic Orifice-Opening, Cognitive & Stomachic Monarch (芳香开窍 / 化湿和胃辟秽化浊宁心安神醒脑益智治神昏癫痫健忘耳聋 — 历代芳香开窍第一菖蒲 / 藏医神草 / 脑神经保护与消化开胃药王)

    水菖蒲 / 藏菖蒲 / 菖蒲 / 泥菖蒲 / 白菖蒲 / 剑叶菖蒲 — Acorus calamus L. (syn. Acorus angustatus)

    Pinyin: Shuǐchāngpú / Zàngchāngpú / Chāngpú · Malay: Jeringau / Dringo / Jerangau / Dlingo / Sweet Flag / Calamus · Family: Acoraceae (菖蒲科 / 天南星科同源)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (温 / 辛苦温)

    Flavor

    Pungent, bitter, richly aromatic (辛、苦、温、芳香辟秽、辛烈麻舌)

    Meridians

    Heart (心), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝), Spleen (脾)

    Traditional Edict

    Sweet Flag / Calamus (Jeringau / Dringo / Shui Chang Pu / Zang Chang Pu). Sword-like marsh leaves and intensely fragrant creeping rhizome. Sovereign of Aromatic Orifice-Opening (Kai Qiao): pierces phlegm-clouded coma (Tan Mi Xin Qiao), sharpens memory, terminates seizures, warms stomach cold.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Use standardized low-beta-asarone strains (<5.0% b-asarone; avoids hepatotoxicity). CONTRAINDICATED in Yin deficiency with heat-effusion and sweating. CONTRAINDICATED in active pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation and Alzheimer's memory loss (AChE inhibition and GABAA modulation via Asarone), epilepsy/seizures, phlegm-turbidity sensory deafness, and flatulent stomach cold.

    Quality Markers

    b-Asarone (b-细辛醚) <= 5.0% (strict non-toxic safety standard in triploid/tetraploid strains), a-Asarone & Calamenene (HPLC/GC-MS standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. a- and b-Asarone cross the blood-brain barrier, inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to boost synaptic acetylcholine and modulating GABAA receptors. 2. Downregulates cerebral neuroinflammation.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL LOW-TEMPERATURE DECOCTION MANDATE: Asarones are volatile (do not boil >15-20 min in open pots; keep lid closed). Take 3 to 9 g dried rhizome slices boiled with Yuan Zhi and Fu Shen for cognitive memory. External aromatic bath (Mandian Jeringau): 50 g roots for postpartum chills.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical Kai Xin San (Cognitive Memory Monarch) with Polygala tenuifolia (Yuan Zhi), Ginseng, and Fu Shen. 2. Phlegm-Opening Coma Emergency Draught with Curcuma aromatica (Yu Jin).

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