香茅 / 柠檬草 — Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf

Pinyin: Xiāngmáo · Malay: Serai / Serai Makan / Serai Dapur · Family: Poaceae / Gramineae (禾本科)

Energetics

Warm (温)

Flavor

Pungent, aromatic, citrusy (辛、芳香)

Meridians

Lung (肺), Stomach (胃), Spleen (脾)

Traditional Edict

Dispels wind and dissipates cold, harmonizes middle burner, relieves pain, and repels pestilence. Foundational Nanyang culinary and medicinal herb for postpartum confinement baths and stomach flu.

Cautions & Contraindications

Undiluted essential oil causes skin irritation. Contraindicated internally in severe Yin deficiency dry heat and pregnancy (high-dose emmenagogue risk).

Clinical Applications

Tension headaches, acute cold-damp dyspepsia, travel nausea, hyperlipidemia, bacterial/fungal skin infections, and post-exercise muscle soreness.

Quality Markers

Citral (Geranial + Neral) >= 75.0% in essential oil (MHM / ISO standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Citral (geranial + neral) inhibits NF-kB and downregulates COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-a. 2. Myrcene interacts with central GABA-A receptors, producing anxiolytic and muscle-relaxing effects. 3. Volatile fractions disrupt microbial cell membranes of Candida and Gram-negative bacilli.

Preparation & Dosage

Bruised fresh stalks in culinary soups/teas: 15-30 g. Dried herb in decoction: 6-12 g. Essential oil: 1-3% dilution in carrier oils for topical massage.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Royal Malay Postpartum Herbal Bath (Mandi Serai) with Blumea balsamifera (Da Feng Ai) and Vitex negundo. 2. Citrus Gastro-Relief Infusion with Zingiber officinale and Pandan leaves.

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