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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Spleen-Awakening, Stomach-Warming & Fetal-Soothing (An Tai) Emperor (芳香化湿 / 行气和胃温脾止泻安胎止呕化浊开胃治脘腹胀痛胎动不安晨吐呕逆 — 历代行气安胎第一春砂仁 / 广东道地南药之首 / 脾胃虚寒与妊娠胎漏药王 / 姜科最高芳香君药)

    阳春砂 / 春砂仁 / 砂仁 / 砂仁壳 / 缩砂蜜 / 绿壳砂仁 — Amomum villosum Lour. (syn. Amomum villosum var. xanthioides, Wurfbainia villosa)

    Pinyin: Yángchūn Shā / Chūn Shārén / Shārén · Malay: Sha Ren / Buah Pelaga Cina / Tepus Halia / Chinese Cardamom / Spring Sand · Family: Zingiberaceae (姜科 / 豆蔻属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (温 / 辛温芳烈)

    Flavor

    Pungent, sweetish, richly aromatic, cooling-peppery (辛、微苦、微甘、温、芳香纯正、清冽爽口)

    Meridians

    Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Kidney (肾)

    Traditional Edict

    Spring Sand Cardamom / Villous Amomum (Yangchun Sha Ren / Chun Sha Ren). Spiny ellipsoidal purplish-brown capsules. Leader of the Four Great Southern Herbs: Emperor for Calming Restless Fetus (An Tai) in threatened miscarriage, cures morning sickness, stops cold diarrhea, prevents tonic cloying.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • MANDATORY SHORT-BOILING (Hou Xia; preserves bornyl acetate). EMPEROR HERB FOR PREGNANCY AND LACTATION (SAFE & HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). CONTRAINDICATED in Yin-deficiency heat with tongue lacking coat.

    Clinical Applications

    • Threatened miscarriage and hyperemesis gravidarum (uterine smooth muscle tocolysis and progesterone support via Bornyl Acetate >= 0.90%), IBS cold diarrhea, and gastric peptic ulcers.

    Quality Markers

    Bornyl Acetate (乙酸龙脑酯) >= 0.90%, Camphor >= 0.30% & Essential Oil >= 3.00% (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia Dao Di standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Bornyl acetate inhibits oxytocin- and prostaglandin-induced myometrial contractions (IC50=15.4 ug/mL), stabilizing pregnancy. 2. Upregulates gastric TFF2 and mucin-5AC to heal ulcers.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL PAOZHI MANDATE: SHORT-BOIL AT END OF DECOCTION (Hou Xia 5-10 Min): Crush whole capsule and seed cluster lightly; add during final 5 to 10 min. Take 3 to 6 g. CLASSICAL XIANG SHA LIU JUN ZI TANG: 5 g Sha Ren (added last) with Mu Xiang (6 g) and Si Jun Zi Tang base.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (Master Spleen Tonic) with Mu Xiang and Six Gentlemen base. 2. Fetal-Soothing Morning Sickness Duo (An Tai) with Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin).

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