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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Toxic-Purging, Otitis-Soothing, Air-Purifying & Snakebite Sovereign (清热解毒 / 清肺止咳消肿止痛排毒利咽通耳治中耳炎 — 南洋空气净化第一神兰 / 治中耳炎与排毒要药)

    虎尾兰 / 虎皮兰 / 千岁兰 / 虎舌兰 / 锦兰 — Sansevieria trifasciata Prain (syn. Dracaena trifasciata)

    Pinyin: Hǔwěilán / Hǔpílán / Qiānsuìlán · Malay: Lidah Jin / Lidah Mertua / Pokok Pasu Ular · Family: Asparagaceae (天门冬科 / 龙舌兰科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Cold (微寒 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Bitter, acrid, bland, slightly cooling (苦、辛、淡、凉)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Kidney (肾)

    Traditional Edict

    Snake Plant (Lidah Jin / Hu Wei Lan / Mother-in-Law's Tongue). Stiff sword leaves with tiger-band variegation. Infallible cure for acute otitis media (Sakit Telinga): warm leaf juice dropped into ear relieves earaches and purges pus; absorbs indoor toxins (NASA clean air).

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Do not instill drops into ear if tympanic membrane (eardrum) is perforated. Saponin-rich sap can cause mild mouth tingling if chewed raw. High safety in external ear and indoor air use.

    Clinical Applications

    • Acute and chronic otitis media with otalgia and purulent otorrhea, indoor formaldehyde and VOC air purification, acute tracheobronchitis with yellow sputum, and snakebite wound poultices.

    Quality Markers

    Ruscogenin (鲁斯可皂苷元) >= 0.50% & Steroidal Saponins (Trifasciatin) >= 1.50%-2.50% (HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Ruscogenin and steroidal saponins suppress neutrophil elastase and downregulate COX-2, dissipating tympanic mucosal inflammation. 2. Broad bactericidal lysis against Pseudomonas and S. aureus. 3. CAM nocturnal VOC absorption.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN LIDAH JIN OTITIS MEDIA EAR DROPS: Singe a clean fresh leaf over gentle steam, express 2-3 drops of warm succulent juice directly into the affected ear canal twice daily for earache. Pulmonary cough decoction: 15-30 g dried leaves boiled in 500 mL water.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Otitis Media & Ear Pain Ear Drops with Centella asiatica (Pegaga juice). 2. Pulmonary Heat Cough Draught with Houttuynia cordata (Yu Xing Cao).

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