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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Vision-Brightening Ocular Protector, Spleen-Fortifying Digestant & Anthelmintic Sovereign (明目退翳 / 健脾化滞 / 补中和胃 / 润燥通肠 / 杀虫消积 / 视黄醇与类胡萝卜素之王)

    胡萝卜 / 红萝卜 / 丁香萝卜 / 南烛子同属 — Daucus carota L.

    Pinyin: Hú Luó Bo / Hóng Luó Bo / Dīng Xiāng Luó Bo · Malay: Lobak Merah / Carrot / Lobak Kuda / Fructus Dauci · Family: Apiaceae / Umbelliferae (伞形科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Neutral to Slightly Warm (平 / 微温 / 甘辛平健脾明目补中消食)

    Flavor

    Sweet, pungent, pleasant, earthy-aromatic (大甘、微辛、平、气清甜芳香爽脆; sweetness fortifies the Spleen and nourishes vision, aromatic pungency moves stagnant food)

    Meridians

    Spleen (脾经), Liver (肝经), Lung (肺经), Large Intestine (大肠经)

    Traditional Edict

    Lobak Merah (Hu Luo Bo / Fructus et Radix Dauci). Crisp golden-orange taproot and spiny hooked seed umbels. King of Retinal Photoprotection and Spleen-Harmonizing Digestion (Raja Terang Mata, Kuat Perut, Cacing & Lobak Merah): cooked carrot root restores night vision, clears eye dryness and macular fatigue, fortifies digestive Spleen Qi in sickly children, while the aromatic hooked seeds (Fructus Dauci) paralyze roundworms and pinworms.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Exceptional clinical, pediatric, maternal, and geriatric safety profile. Excessive daily megadosing (>500 g daily for months) may cause harmless reversible yellowing of the palms (Carotenodermia), which resolves upon dietary reduction. Safe during pregnancy and lactation.

    Clinical Applications

    • Night blindness (Nyctalopia), dry eye syndrome (Xerophthalmia) and age-related macular degeneration; pediatric malnutrition and functional dyspepsia; intestinal pinworm and roundworm infestations (Semen/Fructus Dauci); hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular atherosclerosis and constipation.

    Quality Markers

    beta-Carotene >= 8.0 mg/100g in root, Daucol & Carotol >= 40.0% of seed oil, Total Carotenoids >= 12.0 mg/100g, Lutein & Zeaxanthin >= 0.50 mg/100g

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    beta-Carotene (>= 8.0 mg/100g) is cleaved in intestinal mucosa by BCO1 into retinol (vitamin A), accelerating retinal rhodopsin regeneration in rod photoreceptor cells and halting night blindness; lutein and zeaxanthin filter damaging blue light in the macula lutea; carotol and daucol (>= 40.0% in seed oil) paralyze the neuromuscular apparatus of nematodes; pectin soluble fibers lower LDL-cholesterol.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Cooked root in dietary therapy: 100 to 200 g daily (cook with healthy oil/fat to surge lipophilic beta-carotene absorption by >400%). Dried seeds (Fructus Dauci) in decoction: 6 to 10 g daily (chewed or ground into powder for anthelmintic therapy). Standardized carrot carotenoid extract: 15 to 30 mg daily.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Vision-Restoring & Dry Eye Photoprotective Soup (Hu Luo Bo Ming Mu Tang / 胡萝卜明目润燥汤): Fresh Carrot slices 150 g, Gou Qi Zi 15 g, Ju Hua 10 g, Pork liver or Black chicken 100 g simmered in 600 mL water for 30 min with olive oil; consume warm to restore night vision. 2. The Pediatric Intestinal Parasite & Digestion Formula (Hu Luo Bo Zi Xiao Ji Fang): Fructus Dauci (Carrot seed) 9 g, Shi Jun Zi 6 g, Chao Bai Zhu 9 g decocted in 400 mL water; take warm for 3 consecutive mornings.

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