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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Shen-Calming, Tranquilizing, Diuretic & Anti-Cobra Venom Sovereign (清热利湿 / 安神定志凉血止血消肿解毒截蛇毒要药 — 有微毒)

    含羞草 / 见笑草 / 怕羞草 / 感应草 / 知羞草 — Mimosa pudica L. (syn. Mimosa hispidula)

    Pinyin: Hánxiūcǎo / Jiànxiàocǎo · Malay: Pokok Semalu / Semalu / Rumput Kemalu · Family: Fabaceae (豆科 / 含羞草亚科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉), Mildly Toxic in excessive doses (有小毒 / 微毒)

    Flavor

    Sweet, astringent, slightly bitter (甘、涩、微苦)

    Meridians

    Heart (心), Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Large Intestine (大肠), Urinary Bladder (膀胱)

    Traditional Edict

    Sensitive Plant (Pokok Semalu / Han Xiu Cao). Thigmonastic touch-sensitive folding leaves and pink pom-pom flowers. Sovereign sedative for insomnia and anxiety, neutralizes cobra and pit viper venom, unblocks urinary stones (Ubat Batu Karang).

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • MIMOSINE ALOPECIA WARNING: Chronic excessive consumption (>60 g daily for >3 weeks) causes temporary hair loss. STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (fetotoxic/abortifacient properties).

    Clinical Applications

    • Primary psychogenic insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder, venomous cobra envenomation (neutralizing hyaluronidase and necrosis), acute cystitis strangury, and bleeding hemorrhoids.

    Quality Markers

    Mimosine (含羞草素) >= 0.50%, Isoorientin & Orientin >= 1.50% (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Isoorientin and orientin bind benzodiazepine sites on GABA-A receptors, enhancing inhibitory GABAergic currents to induce deep sleep without motor ataxia. 2. Mimosine and tannins inactivate cobra venom hyaluronidase and PLA2. 3. Pulvinus K+ efflux thigmonasty.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN SEMALU SLEEP-INDUCING TISANE: 15 to 30 g dried whole herb boiled with Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus seeds) for 20 min; taken 1h before bed for insomnia. Emergency Cobra Bite Field Poultice: 50 g fresh plant pounded thickly around bite.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Insomnia & Anxiety-Calming Synergy with Ziziphus spinosa (Suan Zao Ren) and Polygala (Yuan Zhi). 2. Emergency Snakebite Duo with Andrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi).

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