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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Sovereign Qi-Regulating, Liver-Soothing & Menses-Regulating Monarch (疏肝理气 / 调经止痛理气解郁宽中消积 — 气病之总司，妇科之主帅)

    香附 / 莎草根 / 香附子 / 雀头香 — Cyperus rotundus L.

    Pinyin: Xiāngfù / Suōcǎogēn · Malay: Rumput Halia Bara / Rumput Tiga Segi / Kudung · Family: Cyperaceae (莎草科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Neutral to slightly Warm (平 / 微温)

    Flavor

    Pungent, slightly bitter, sweet aftertaste, intensely aromatic (辛、微苦、微甘、芳香)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), San Jiao (三焦)

    Traditional Edict

    Commander of All Qi Disorders & Supreme Field Marshal of Gynecology. 3-angled sedge stems and spindle tubers. Soothes Liver Qi constraint, regulates menses, stops dysmenorrhea, harmonizes Stomach, and dissolves premenstrual breast lumps.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Forceful Qi-moving action; long-term monotherapy in Qi/Yin deficiency consumes primal Qi (always pair with blood tonics like Dang Gui and White Peony). Caution in first trimester of pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Primary/secondary spasmodic dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), breast tenderness, functional dyspeptic distension, and IBS.

    Quality Markers

    a-Cyperone >= 0.20%, Cyperene, Rotundone & Patchoulenone (Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. a-Cyperone and rotundone block extracellular calcium influx and suppress oxytocin/PGF2a-induced uterine smooth muscle spasms, relieving dysmenorrhea. 2. Modulates HPO neuroendocrine axis. 3. Stimulates gastric mucosal PGE2.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL PAOZHI: THE FOUR-PROCESSED XIANG FU (Si Zhi Xiang Fu / 四炙香附) processed with Vinegar (Liver), Wine (Channels), Ginger (Stomach), and Salt (Kidney). Processed Xiang Fu in decoction: 6-12 g daily. Fine powder: 3-6 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Gynecological Dysmenorrhea Synergy (Xiang Fu Si Wu Tang) with Angelica sinensis and White Peony. 2. Classical Emotional Depression Formula (Yue Ju Wan / 越鞠丸) for the Six Stagnations.

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