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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Heat-Clearing, Fire-Draining, Liver-Calming & Neuro-Sedative Sovereign (清热解毒 / 清肝明目疏肝安神利胆退黄利尿通淋药)

    沼生水马齿 / 假水芹 / 沼生水苋 / 咸水草 — Enhydra fluctuans Lour. (syn. Hingtsha repens)

    Pinyin: Zhǎoshēng Shuǐmǎchǐ / Jiǎ Shuǐqín · Malay: Selom Air / Daun Selom Air / Daun Susu · Family: Asteraceae (菊科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Sweet, bitter, bland, aromatic (甘、苦、淡、芳香)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Lung (肺), Spleen (脾), Large Intestine (大肠)

    Traditional Edict

    Marsh Herb (Selom Air / Helencha). Floating succulent stems and serrated leaves. Drains Liver fire, soothes Liver Qi, calms the disturbed spirit to cure racing insomnia and anxiety, stimulates bile to clear jaundice, unblocks urination.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Harvest from clean unpolluted waterways and wash thoroughly to eliminate aquatic snail vectors. High dietary safety. Contraindicated in cold watery diarrhea without heat signs.

    Clinical Applications

    • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), chronic sleep latency insomnia, major depressive disorder with agitation, acute viral hepatitis jaundice, NAFLD, and essential hypertension.

    Quality Markers

    Enhydrin (Germacranolide) >= 0.50%, Fluctuandin & Fluctuanin (HPLC/LC-MS MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Enhydrin and fluctuandin cross Blood-Brain Barrier, binding central GABA-A receptors and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to reduce anxiety and shorten sleep latency without motor ataxia. 2. Fluctuanin stimulates BSEP bile excretion. 3. eNOS vasodilation.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN FRESH SELOM AIR SEDATIVE JUICE (Jus Selom Air): 50-100 g fresh stems/leaves blended with water, expressed: 50 mL with honey taken 1h before bedtime for insomnia. Culinary Ulam: 50-100 g raw. Dried herb decoction: 15-30 g.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Nanyang Sleep-Restoring Draught with Centella asiatica (Pegaga juice) and Pure Honey. 2. Rainforest Hepatobiliary & Anti-Jaundice Synergy with Phyllanthus niruri.

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