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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Liver-Qi Soothing, Spleen-Harmonizing & Parched Cough Sovereign (疏肝理气 / 和胃止痛燥湿化痰理气宽胸生津止咳治肝气郁结胁肋胀痛胃脘痞满咳嗽痰多 — 历代本草第一理气不伤阴神果佛手柑 / 肝胃气痛与胸闷药皇 / 芸香科极品橙皮苷芳香药果)

    佛手 / 佛手柑 / 佛手香橼 / 五指柑 / 蜜罗柑 / 福寿柑 — Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle (syn. Citrus sarcodactylis, Citrus medica var. digitata)

    Pinyin: Fóshǒu / Fóshǒugān / Wǔzhǐgān · Malay: Limau Jari Buddha / Limau Tangan Buddha / Limau Jari / Fingered Citron / Buddha's Hand / Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis · Family: Rutaceae (芸香科 / 柑橘属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (温 / 辛苦温芳烈)

    Flavor

    Pungent, bitter, sweetish, intensely fragrant (辛、苦、甘、温、气极芳香清郁)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Lung (肺)

    Traditional Edict

    Buddha's Hand / Fingered Citron (Limau Jari Buddha / Fo Shou / Fo Shou Gan). Golden fruit splitting into prayer-finger carpels with citrus perfume. Sovereign for Liver-Qi Stagnation & Parched Cough: smooths Liver depression, relieves hypochondriac pain, harmonizes Stomach, dries phlegm without injuring Yin.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Gentlest of all Qi-regulating citrus fruits (dredges Qi without consuming Yin fluids or Qi). Exceptional clinical, emotional, and geriatric safety profile. Safe in pregnancy in tea amounts.

    Clinical Applications

    • Liver-Qi depression, emotional stress, and hypochondriac distension (gastrointestinal and biliary spasmolysis via Hesperidin >= 0.40% and Diosmin), functional epigastric pain, and chronic cough.

    Quality Markers

    Hesperidin (橙皮苷) >= 0.40% (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard), Diosmin >= 0.20% & Essential Oil >= 1.00% v/w

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Hesperidin and diosmin relax biliary and visceral smooth muscle via voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blockade. 2. Limettin and citral downregulate airway inflammatory cytokines.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN BUDDHA'S HAND LIVER-SOOTHING TISANE: 5 to 10 g dried Fo Shou slices steeped in 400 mL boiling water with Rose flower (Mei Gui Hua, 5 g) for 10 min; sip warm throughout the day (soothes stress and epigastric tightness). Parched cough decoction: 6 to 10 g boiled with honey.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Liver-Qi Soothing & Emotional Harmony Tea (Fo Shou Mei Gui Cha) with Flos Rosae Rugosae. 2. Spleen-Stomach Cold Pain & Phlegm Clearance Draught with Cyperus (Xiang Fu).

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