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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Supreme Bitter Fire-Purging, Gastric Stimulating & Pediculicidal Monarch (清热燥湿 / 泻火解毒截疟退热健胃消食杀虫止痒 — 纯苦降火开胃消食第一真苦木 / 肠胃动力与头虱灭杀圣木)

    苦木 / 苦木树 / 美洲苦木 / 苏里南苦木 / 苦柴 — Quassia amara L. (syn. Quassia alatifolia)

    Pinyin: Kǔmù / Kǔmùshù / Měizhōu Kǔmù · Malay: Kayu Pahit Asli / Pokok Pahit / Amargo / Pahit Surinam · Family: Simaroubaceae (苦木科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold (寒 / 苦寒)

    Flavor

    Overwhelmingly and purely bitter (大苦、极苦、纯苦、大寒)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    True Bitterwood (Kayu Pahit Asli / Surinam Quassia / Ku Mu). Winged leaf rachis and fiery scarlet flower tubes. Monarch of pure bitter tonics (50x more bitter than quinine): ignites gastric secretions in severe anorexia, halts malaria, eradicates head lice (Kutu).

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Overdose (>10 g) causes projectile vomiting due to excessive bitter reflex stimulation. CONTRAINDICATED in active bleeding peptic ulcers and erosive gastritis. CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY.

    Clinical Applications

    • Hypochlorhydric functional dyspepsia and post-illness anorexia (T2R bitter receptor reflex), pediculosis capitis (head lice and nit eradication without neurotoxins), and chloroquine-resistant malaria.

    Quality Markers

    Quassin (苦木素) >= 0.15%-0.35%, Neoquassin & Simalikalactone D >= 1.50% (HPLC USP/Ph. Eur.)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Quassinoids bind lingual/gastric T2R bitter receptors, vagally stimulating parietal HCl, pepsin, and bile secretion. 2. Simalikalactone D disrupts insect chitin synthesis and paralyzes head lice. 3. Antimalarial schizontocidal action.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN QUASSIA BITTER DIGESTIVE APERITIF: 1.0 to 2.0 g dried yellow wood shavings steeped in 200 mL boiling water for 5 min; 2-3 tablespoons sipped 15 min before meals. Anti-lice rinse: 30 g wood boiled in 1 L water with vinegar for scalp rinse.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Convalescent Appetite-Restoring Synergy with Citrus reticulata (Chen Pi) and Bai Zhu. 2. Natural Head Lice Eradication Rinse with Stemona sessilifolia (Bai Bu).

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