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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Heat-Clearing, Blood-Cooling, Vision-Brightening & Sovereign Galactagogue (清热凉血 / 明目通乳生肌润燥药)

    守宫木 / 甜菜 / 树仔菜 / 龙须菜 — Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.

    Pinyin: Shǒugōngmù / Tiáncài / Shùzǎicài · Malay: Cekur Manis / Sayur Manis / Katuk / Daun Manis · Family: Phyllanthaceae (叶下珠科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool (微凉 / 凉)

    Flavor

    Sweet, bland, crisp, nutty (甘、淡、清甜)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Clears toxic heat, cools blood, brightens eyes, lubricates bowels, and acts as supreme galactagogue (Tong Ru Cui Ru / 通乳催乳). Sovereign post-delivery botanical soup (Katuk) for nursing mothers.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • CRITICAL TOXICITY: NEVER JUICE RAW. Massive ingestion of raw uncooked blended Katuk juice causes irreversible Bronchiolitis Obliterans (lung fibrosis). Standard cooked culinary use is 100% safe.

    Clinical Applications

    • Postpartum hypogalactia (insufficient breastmilk production - clinically validated 50-75% elevation in milk volume), macular degeneration/eye strain, and senile dry constipation.

    Quality Markers

    Lutein & b-Carotene >= 100 mg/kg & Papaverine-like compounds (MUST BE COOKED)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Phytosterols and octacosanol stimulate anterior pituitary prolactin (PRL) and oxytocin gene transcription, accelerating alveolar duct milk synthesis. 2. Ultra-high lutein and b-carotene filter high-energy blue light in macular retina. 3. Chlorogenic acid downregulates COX-2.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL PAOZHI: MUST ALWAYS BE COOKED THOROUGHLY (boiled/braised >= 5-10 min) before eating to denature papaverine alkaloids. Maternal soup (Sayur Bening Katuk): 50-100 g cooked leaves.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Royal Malay Postnatal Lactation & Qi Restoration Soup with Moringa oleifera (Kelor), Plectranthus amboinicus (Daun Bangun-bangun), and Ginger in fish broth. 2. Macular Vision Tea with Goji.

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