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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Aromatic Middle-Warming, Spleen-Awakening & Hydrophilic Demulcent (芳香化湿 / 行气和胃活血解毒消食开胃通便润肠清目生肌 — 调味圣草与通便第一子)

    罗勒 / 九层塔 / 兰香 / 金不换 / 气香草 / 鸭头罗勒 — Ocimum basilicum L. (syn. Ocimum pilosum)

    Pinyin: Luólè / Jiǔcéngtǎ / Jīnbùhuàn · Malay: Selasih / Biji Selasih / Kemangi / Selasih Jantan · Family: Lamiaceae (唇形科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Herb: Warm (温 / 辛温); Seed: Cool (微凉 / 平)

    Flavor

    Herb: Pungent, sweet, intensely aromatic with clove-anise notes (辛、甘、大香、微辣); Seed: Sweet, bland, mucilaginous (甘、淡、滑利)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Sweet Basil (Selasih / Jiu Ceng Ta / Jin Bu Huan). Nine-story tiered flower spikes. Leaf warms Spleen, stops stomach gas colic and vomiting; black seeds (Biji Selasih) swell into gelatinous pearls in water to quench summer-heat and lubricate dry constipation.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Do not boil leaves >15 min (volatilizes active methyl chavicol). Biji Selasih seeds MUST ALWAYS BE FULLY SOAKED IN WATER BEFORE INGESTION (prevents esophageal swelling). Safe in pregnancy in dietary amounts.

    Clinical Applications

    • Functional dyspeptic flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux, chronic atonic constipation (hydrophilic bulk hydration and mechanical peristalsis via swollen seed mucilage), and tension headaches.

    Quality Markers

    Methyl Chavicol (Estragole) >= 40.0%-60.0%, Linalool & Seed Mucilage Pectins >= 15.0% (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Methyl chavicol and linalool inhibit smooth muscle L-type calcium channels, providing rapid carminative spasmolysis. 2. Seed coat arabinogalactans absorb 30x water, forming an insoluble lubricating hydrogel for constipation. 3. Rosmarinic acid.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN NANYANG AIR BIJI SELASIH COOLING BEVERAGE: 10 g dry Biji Selasih soaked in 200 mL water for 10 min (gelatinous pearls), blended with pandan syrup, lime juice, and ice for summer-heat and constipation. Leaf infusion: 5-10 g (simmer covered).

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Gastro-Spasmolysis Tisane with Mentha haplocalyx (Bo He) and Cymbopogon citratus (Serai). 2. Intestinal Lubricating Summer-Heat Beverage with Aloe vera and Raw Honey.

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