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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Aromatic Stomach-Warming, Spleen-Awakening & Carminative Sovereign (芳香化湿 / 温中和胃行气止痛散寒开胃消食消胀治脘腹胀痛呕恶泄泻 — 传统雨林行气消胀第一野山姜 / 脾胃虚寒与消化不良圣草 / 姜科芳香健胃要药)

    无毛山姜 / 假砂仁 / 艳山姜同属 / 兰屿山姜同类 / 光叶山姜 — Alpinia mutica Roxb. (syn. Languas mutica, Alpinia kumatake)

    Pinyin: Wúmáo Shānjiāng / Jiǎ Shārén · Malay: Lengkuas Hutan / Lengkuas Ranting / Tepus Lengkuas / Small Shell Ginger · Family: Zingiberaceae (姜科 / 山姜属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (温 / 辛温芳香)

    Flavor

    Pungent, aromatic, slightly bitter, camphoric (辛、微苦、芳香浓烈、温)

    Meridians

    Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Lung (肺)

    Traditional Edict

    Small Shell Ginger (Lengkuas Hutan / Wu Mao Shan Jiang). Hairless leaves, erect white panicles with yellow-crimson lips, and bright red capsules. Master Carminative for Gastrointestinal Trapped Wind and Cold Stomach Cramps (Ubat Kembung Perut): expels gas, soothes nausea, warms Spleen.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguish from Alpinia zerumbet (mutica has erect inflorescence and globose fruit). High clinical, culinary, and gastroprotective safety profile. Safe in lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Functional dyspepsia and flatulent bloating (smooth muscle spasmolysis and gas expulsion via Cardamonin and Pinocembrin), gastric peptic ulcers (mucosal PGE2 protection), and digestive morning nausea.

    Quality Markers

    Cardamonin (豆蔻明) >= 0.80%, Pinocembrin (松属素) >= 0.60% & 1,8-Cineole >= 25.0% (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Cardamonin blocks extracellular calcium influx in intestinal smooth muscle, facilitating rapid gas passage (Buang Angin). 2. Pinocembrin stimulates gastric mucosal PGE2 barrier synthesis.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN LENGKUAS HUTAN CARMINATIVE TEA: 10 to 15 g dried rhizome slices boiled with Chen Pi (10 g) and Sha Ren in 500 mL water for 15 min (closed lid); drink warm after meals for bloating. Postpartum warming bath: 100 g leaves/rhizomes in 5 L water.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Flatulent Dyspepsia & Trapped Wind Triad with Curcuma xanthorrhiza (Temulawak) and Serai. 2. Cold-Stomach Gastralgia Draught with Pinellia ternata (Fa Ban Xia).

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