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    Aromatic Dampness-Transforming & Sovereign Lactogenic Galactagogue (芳香化湿 / 利咽止咳解毒通乳生肌药)

    左手香 / 到手香 / 过手香 — Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. (syn. Coleus amboinicus)

    Pinyin: Zuǒshǒuxiāng / Dàoshǒuxiāng · Malay: Daun Bangun-bangun / Daun Hati-hati / Torbangun · Family: Lamiaceae (唇形科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Neutral (微凉 / 平)

    Flavor

    Pungent, slightly bitter, intensely aromatic (辛、微苦、大香)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Transforms dampness, soothes throat to stop cough, clears toxic heat, and stimulates abundant breast milk. Sacred Batak/Malay Torbangun postpartum recovery and cough herb.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • High culinary and lactation safety. Concentrated raw juice has an intense oregano pungency; dilute with honey or warm water for pediatric administration.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute pharyngitis, spasmodic bronchitis cough, postpartum hypogalactia (proven to increase breastmilk volume by 65%), oral candidiasis, and tropical burns.

    Quality Markers

    Carvacrol >= 45.0%, Thymol >= 15.0% (Total Volatiles >= 60.0%) & Rosmarinic Acid (MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Carvacrol and thymol act as agonists of TRPV3 and TRPA1, producing rapid pharyngeal analgesia and destroying respiratory biofilms of S. pyogenes and S. aureus. 2. Stimulates prolactin gene expression in mammary alveoli, elevating breastmilk yield. 3. Rosmarinic acid downregulates COX-2.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Fresh succulent leaves crushed and juiced with honey: 10-20 mL for acute sore throat. Torbangun postpartum lactation soup: 30-50 g fresh leaves boiled with chicken/fish. Standardized extract: 250-500 mg.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Sovereign Nanyang Pharyngeal Cough Syrup with Fresh Daun Bangun-bangun Juice, Lime (Limau Nipis), and Raw Honey. 2. Torbangun Postpartum Mammary Lactation Soup with Ginger and Fish Broth.

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