肉豆蔻 / 豆蔻 / 肉果 — Myristica fragrans Houtt.

Pinyin: Ròudòukòu / Ròuguǒ · Malay: Buah Pala / Pala / Pokok Pala · Family: Myristicaceae (肉豆蔻科)

Energetics

Warm (温)

Flavor

Pungent, astringent, aromatic (辛、涩、芳香)

Meridians

Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Large Intestine (大肠)

Traditional Edict

Warms middle burner, regulates Qi, astringes intestines to stop diarrhea, transforms food stagnation. Sovereign herb for Dawn Diarrhea (Wu Geng Xie / 五更泻), Spleen-Kidney cold deficiency.

Cautions & Contraindications

Raw seeds contain toxic myristicin and elemicin; high raw doses (>5 g) cause hallucinations and tachycardia. Contraindicated in acute dysentery with damp-heat stasis.

Clinical Applications

Chronic refractory diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), diabetic autonomic enteropathy, non-ulcer dyspepsia, and hepatic lipid accumulation.

Quality Markers

Macelignan >= 1.00% & Myristicin (Chinese Pharmacopoeia / MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Roasted in bran (Wei Rou Dou Kou) to remove excess volatile oil and enhance macelignan astringency. 2. Macelignan activates AMPK and PPAR-a/g, improving metabolic lipid profile and protecting liver. 3. Astringent tannins cross-link gut mucosal proteins, arresting hypermotility.

Preparation & Dosage

MUST BE ROASTED IN BRAN (Wèi Ròudòukòu / 煨肉豆蔻) to eliminate raw nauseating oil. Decoct 3-9 g daily. Swallowed as powder: 1.5-3 g.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Si Shen Wan (四神丸 - Sovereign Dawn Diarrhea Formula) with Psoralea (Bu Gu Zhi), Schisandra, and Wu Zhu Yu for nocturnal/early morning cold diarrhea. 2. Penang Nutmeg Gastro-Warming Balsam.

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