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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Deep Cold-Dispelling, Trigeminal Neuralgia-Halting & Sinus Monarch (散寒止痛 / 祛风通窍温肺化饮行气活血消肿解毒治三叉神经痛风寒头痛剧烈牙痛风湿骨痛鼻渊鼻塞 — 历代通窍止痛第一细辛之雄 / 三叉神经痛与剧烈牙痛药王 / 马兜铃科大辛大温通经纯阳圣药 / 细辛不过钱古训)

    大花细辛 / 大叶细辛 / 马蹄细辛 / 花脸细辛 / 苕叶细辛 — Asarum maximum Hemsl. (syn. Asarum splendens, Heterotropa maxima)

    Pinyin: Dàhuā Xìxīn / Dàyè Xìxīn / Mǎtí Xìxīn · Malay: Daun Asam Kumbang / Asam Kumbang / Halia Hutan Raksasa / Giant Wild Ginger · Family: Aristolochiaceae (马兜铃科 / 细辛属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm to Hot (温 / 辛温纯阳; Raw root is intensely tongue-numbing)

    Flavor

    Intensely pungent, hot, tongue-numbing, penetrating camphoric (大辛、大温、烈辣、极麻舌、气芳烈走窜)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Kidney (肾), Liver (肝), Stomach (胃)

    Traditional Edict

    Giant Wild Ginger (Daun Asam Kumbang / Da Hua Xi Xin / Hua Lian Xi Xin). Mottled leaves with velvety purple-black terrestrial flowers. Supreme Monarch for Trigeminal Neuralgia & Toothaches: numbs dental nerves in 60s, dispels deep Shaoyin bone cold, unblocks sinuses. PAOZHI MANDATE: DO NOT EXCEED 3.0 G IN DECOCTION.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • SAFROLE TOXICOLOGY & EIGHTEEN INCOMPATIBILITIES: Overdose (>5 g) causes central respiratory paralysis. EIGHTEEN INCOMPATIBILITIES: DO NOT COMBINE WITH LI LU (VERATRUM). CONTRAINDICATED in Yin-deficiency fire and pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Intractable trigeminal neuralgia and severe migraine headaches (blocking sensory voltage-gated Nav1.7 sodium channels via Methyl Eugenol), severe odontogenic toothache, chronic rhinosinusitis, and cold asthmatic wheezing.

    Quality Markers

    Methyl Eugenol (甲基丁香酚) >= 25.0%-45.0% in essential oil, Safrole (monitored <= 5.0%) & Essential Oil >= 2.50% (HPLC/GC-MS standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Methyl eugenol and phenylpropanoids block peripheral sensory nerve Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 channels, producing rapid local anesthesia. 2. 1,8-Cineole thins sinus mucus. 3. Paozhi water-boiling volatilizes safrole.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL PAOZHI MANDATE: 'XI XIN BU GUO QIAN' (NEVER EXCEED 3.0 G IN DECOCTIONS): 1.5 to 3.0 g dried roots decocted >= 30 min (open pot boiling volatilizes toxic safrole while retaining analgesic phenolics). Toothache dot: 1 g fresh root chewed directly at tooth (do not swallow).

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Trigeminal Neuralgia & Migraine Duo with Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong). 2. Cold-Rheumatic Arthralgia Draught (Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang modified) with Du Huo and Sang Ji Sheng.

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