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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Cardiac-Soothing, Bronchodilating Antiasthmatic & Hepatic Sovereign (宣肺平喘 / 宁心定悸疏肝解郁行气止痛祛风除湿散瘀消肿治支气管哮喘心动过速心悸怔忡慢性肝炎 — 传统马来第一平喘定悸神木 Melada Hutan / 支气管哮喘与心悸心慌药王 / 山柑科强效芥子苷药木)

    小刺山柑 / 细刺槌果藤 / 密脉山柑 / 鹰爪风 / 乌拉草 — Capparis micracantha DC. (syn. Capparis myrioneura, Capparis callosa)

    Pinyin: Xiǎocì Shāngān / Xìcì Chuíguǒténg / Mìmài Shāngān · Malay: Melada Hutan / Melada / Selada / Caper Bush / Small-Spined Caper / Malayan Caper Berry · Family: Capparaceae (山柑科 / 山柑属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm, Pungent-Bitter (微温 / 辛苦微温)

    Flavor

    Bitter, pungent, aromatic, slightly sweet in fruit (苦、辛、微甘、微温、气芳香微窜)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Heart (心), Lung (肺), Spleen (脾)

    Traditional Edict

    Small-Spined Caper / Melada Hutan (Melada Hutan / Xiao Ci Shan Gan / Xi Ci Chui Guo Teng). Leathery leaves with tiny spines and rows of white flowers. Sovereign for Heart Palpitations & Bronchial Asthma: bitter root tea calms racing arrhythmias, dilates tight airways, clears liver stasis.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Distinguished by serial rows of 2 to 6 supra-axillary flowers and large berries (3-6.5 cm) on thickened gynophore. Avoid high medicinal doses in early pregnancy. Safe during lactation in standard amounts.

    Clinical Applications

    • Autonomic sinus tachycardia and nervous palpitations (myocardial membrane stabilization via Stachydrine >= 0.50%), spastic bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis (5-LOX and leukotriene LTC4 suppression via Glucocapparin), and chronic hepatitis.

    Quality Markers

    Glucocapparin (山柑芥子苷) >= 0.60%, Stachydrine >= 0.50% & Rutin >= 0.80% (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Glucocapparin releases methyl isothiocyanate to downregulate 5-LOX and LTC4, dilating bronchi. 2. Stachydrine modulates cardiac beta1 and muscarinic M2 receptors, smoothing cardiac output.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN MELADA HUTAN CARDIAC & ASTHMA DECOCTION: 15 to 20 g dried root discs boiled with Ku Xing Ren (10 g) and Dan Shen (10 g) in 600 mL water for 25 min; taken warm twice daily (soothes palpitations and dilates airways). Fresh fruit pulp eaten as functional food.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Cardiac Palpitation & Arrhythmia Draught with Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen). 2. Chronic Spastic Bronchitis & Asthma Tisane with Vitex negundo (Lagundi).

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