东印度香茅 / 曲序香茅 / 柠檬草 — Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) W.Watson

Pinyin: Dōng Yìndù Xiāngmáo / Qūxù Xiāngmáo · Malay: Serai Minyak / Serai Dapur Minyak / Serai Gajah · Family: Poaceae (禾本科)

Energetics

Warm (温)

Flavor

Pungent, citrusy, intensely aromatic (辛、大香)

Meridians

Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Lung (肺)

Traditional Edict

Flexuous drooping flower spikes. High-citral lemongrass. Dispels wind-cold, transforms dampness, harmonizes Stomach to arrest colic, unblocks collaterals. Sovereign for postpartum Mandi Herba.

Cautions & Contraindications

Pure essential oil causes chemical skin erythema; ALWAYS dilute in carrier oil before dermal use. Use with caution in severe Yin deficiency with dry throat.

Clinical Applications

Functional gastrointestinal dyspepsia, tension headaches, musculoskeletal sprains, cutaneous tinea infections (Candida, Trichophyton), and natural mosquito repellency.

Quality Markers

Total Citral (Geranial + Neral) >= 75.00% & Geraniol (GC-MS/HPLC MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Citral (>= 75.0%) competitively inhibits COX-2 and iNOS, downregulating TNF-a and IL-1b in inflamed joints. 2. Disrupts ergosterol synthesis and cell membrane permeability in fungi. 3. Myrcene modulates GABA-A receptors, inducing smooth muscle relaxation.

Preparation & Dosage

Maternal Postpartum Confinement Bath (Mandi Serai Minyak): 100-150 g fresh leaves boiled in 10 L water. YeMama Warming Oil: 2-5% essential oil in virgin coconut oil. Dried leaf tea: 3-9 g.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Royal Postnatal Wind-Expelling Confinement Soak with Blumea balsamifera (Da Feng Ai) and Zingiber zerumbet. 2. Nanyang Gastro-Colic Carminative Tisane with Kaempferia galanga.

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