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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Master Blood-Activating Stasis-Dispelling & Postpartum Confinement Monarch (活血祛瘀 / 消肿止痛凉血解毒通经止痛接骨生肌治产后恶露不尽产后血晕冠心病心绞痛跌打骨折痛经闭经 — 传统南洋坐月第一神红木 Kayu Sepang / 产后化瘀与通脉药王 / 经典妇科与伤科纯红仙木 / 孕妇严禁内服)

    苏木 / 苏芳木 / 红柴 / 棕木 / 苏枋 / 赤木 — Caesalpinia sappan L. (syn. Biancaea sappan)

    Pinyin: Sūmù / Sūfāngmù / Hóngchái · Malay: Kayu Sepang / Sepang / Secang / Pokok Sepang / Sappanwood / Brazilwood · Family: Fabaceae (豆科 / 云实亚科 / 苏木属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Neutral to slightly Warm (平 / 苦甘微涩微温)

    Flavor

    Sweet, slightly bitter, astringent, reddish (甘、咸、微苦、平)

    Meridians

    Heart (心), Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), Uterus/Baogong (胞宫)

    Traditional Edict

    Sappanwood / Kayu Sepang (Kayu Sepang / Su Mu / Su Fang Mu). Dense orange-red heartwood yielding ruby tea. Supreme Sovereign of Nanyang Confinement (Sapu Sepang & Air Sepang): boiled ruby tea clears dark stagnant postpartum lochia, unblocks coronary vessels, knits broken bones.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • CRITICAL OBSTETRIC CONTRAINDICATION: Potent blood-activating and emmenagogue properties; STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (CAUSES ABORTION). Safe and highly revered during postpartum confinement and lactation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Postpartum lochial retention and abdominal afterpains (selective uterine microvascular stasis clearance via Brazilin >= 1.00%), coronary heart disease and angina pectoris (platelet anti-aggregation), and closed bone fractures.

    Quality Markers

    Brazilin (苏木素) >= 1.00% (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard), Protosappanin B >= 0.80% & Total Homoisoflavonoids >= 3.50%

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Brazilin and protosappanin B inhibit platelet aggregation and promote coronary collateral vasodilation. 2. Brazilin modulates myometrial rhythmic contractions to clear stagnant lochia.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE ROYAL NANYANG SEPANG POSTPARTUM CONFINEMENT TEA (Air Rebusan Kayu Sepang Bersalin): 15 to 25 g dried heartwood chips boiled in 600 mL water with ginger (10 g) for 20 min until deep ruby tea forms; taken warm daily during confinement. Fracture decoction: 15 to 30 g with rice wine.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Royal Postpartum Lochial Clearance Draught with Labisia pumila (Kacip Fatimah) and ginger. 2. Coronary Cardiovascular Stasis-Clearing Draught with Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen).

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