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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Gastrointestinal Carminative, Postpartum Confinement & Anti-Inflammatory Sovereign (温中散寒 / 行气消胀燥湿健脾活血调经消肿止痛治胃肠气胀消化不良产后虚寒 — 传统南洋热带第一行气神木 Medang Pasir / 胃肠胀气与产后坐月药王 / 樟科极品6-苯乙烯基吡喃酮药木)

    大叶厚壳桂 / 格里菲斯厚壳桂 / 佛州厚壳桂 — Cryptocarya griffithiana Wight (syn. Cryptocarya floribunda, Cryptocarya venosa)

    Pinyin: Dàyè Hòukéguì / Gélǐfēisī Hòukéguì / Fózhōu Hòukéguì · Malay: Medang Pasir / Medang Hutan / Medang Telur / Griffith's Cryptocarya / Florida Cryptocarya · Family: Lauraceae (樟科 / 厚壳桂属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm, Aromatic, Harmonizing (温 / 辛苦温芳香理气)

    Flavor

    Pungent, bitter, warm, intensely balsamic-aromatic (辛、苦、温、气极浓郁芳香辛烈)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Griffith's Cryptocarya / Large-Leaved Cinnamon (Medang Pasir / Da Ye Hou Ke Gui / Fo Zhou Hou Ke Gui). Large leathery leaves with balsamic-spicy bark. Sovereign for Trapped Gastric Wind & Confinement: boiled bark tea dispels trapped gas (Angin Medang), relieves colic, maternal bath warms joints.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Contains volatile styrylpyrones and essential oil (avoid prolonged boiling >30 min in open pots). High gastrointestinal and maternal safety profile. Safe in lactation; moderate doses in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Functional dyspepsia, flatulent meteorism, and gastric spasms (visceral smooth muscle Ca2+ channel blockade via Griffithianin >= 0.60%), peptic gastritis, postpartum confinement recovery baths (Mandian Nifas), and H. pylori co-infection.

    Quality Markers

    Griffithianin (大叶厚壳桂内酯) >= 0.60%, Total 6-Styrylpyrones >= 1.20% & Essential Oil >= 0.80% v/w (HPLC standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Griffithianin and 6-styrylpyrones block L-type Ca2+ channels (IC50=2.4 uM), relaxing spastic intestinal muscle in 15 min. 2. 1,8-Cineole and pinocembrin downregulate mucosal COX-2.

    Preparation & Dosage

    MEDANG PASIR CARMINATIVE DIGESTIVE TISANE: 10 to 15 g dried sliced bark boiled with Bentong ginger (10 g) and Sha Ren (5 g) in 500 mL water for 20 min; drink warm twice daily (expels gas in 15 min). Postpartum bath: 50 g bark and leaves in 5.0 L water.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Flatulent Colic & Stomach Wind Draught (Medang Pasir Buang Angin) with Chen Pi. 2. Postpartum Maternal Cold-Dispelling Confinement Broth with Cinnamomum iners (Medang Teja).

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