望江南 / 羊角豆 / 假绿豆 — Senna occidentalis (L.) Link (syn. Cassia occidentalis L.)

Pinyin: Wàngjiāngnán / Yángjiǎodòu · Malay: Kopi Hutan / Kacang Kota / Kopi Anjing · Family: Fabaceae (豆科)

Energetics

Cool to slightly Cold (微寒 / 凉)

Flavor

Bitter, sweet, aromatic when roasted (苦、甘、焙香)

Meridians

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

Traditional Edict

Clears Liver fire, brightens vision, harmonizes Stomach, diffuses Lung to calm wheezing, lubricates bowels. Jungle Coffee (Kopi Hutan) roasted seeds dispel liver heat and asthmatic cough.

Cautions & Contraindications

Seeds must be roasted or crushed before brewing. Contraindicated in chronic Spleen deficiency watery cold diarrhea and severe hypotension.

Clinical Applications

Stage 1 essential hypertension, ocular asthenopia, bronchial asthma, chronic spasmodic bronchitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and atonic dry constipation.

Quality Markers

Emodin, Physcion (大黄素甲醚) >= 0.80% & Chrysophanol (HPLC MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Emodin and physcion anthraquinones stimulate colonic AQP3 peristalsis while inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. 2. Matteucinol and apigenin relax tracheal smooth muscle, calming asthmatic wheezing. 3. Scavenges free radicals, protecting hepatocytes.

Preparation & Dosage

ROASTED COFFEE SENNA (Chao Wangjiangnan / 炒望江南): Seeds gently parched in a wok until puffed and aromatic; brewed as herbal coffee: 6-12 g daily. Dried leaves in decoction: 5-10 g.

Appended Prescriptions

1. The Sovereign Kopi Hutan Cardiovascular & Liver Tea with Chrysanthemum and Crataegus (Shan Zha). 2. Nanyang Anti-Asthmatic Infusion with Vitex negundo (Lemuni).

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