← Reference library
    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Central Neuro-Sedative, GABAA Anxiolytic & Hypnotic Sovereign (清热平肝 / 熄风镇静安神清热解毒泻下通便止痛治失眠第一神木 — 泰国国宝级催眠与抗焦虑神木 / 天然巴拉考尔中枢镇静之王)

    铁刀木 / 泰国决明 / 暹罗槐 / 假黄槐 / 墨黄檀同称 — Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby (syn. Cassia siamea)

    Pinyin: Tiědāomù / Tàiguó Juémíng / Xiānluóhuái · Malay: Johar / Pokok Johar / Juwar / Kassod / Khi-Lek · Family: Fabaceae (豆科 / 云实亚科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cold (寒 / 苦寒)

    Flavor

    Intensely bitter, astringent, slightly sweet (大苦、涩、微甘)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Siamese Senna / Kassod (Johar / Tie Dao Mu / Khi-Lek). Dense axe-blunting ironwood. National Thai medicinal curry herb (Kaeng Khi-Lek): world's premier natural GABAA neuro-sedative (Barakol) for curing chronic intractable insomnia, relieving anxiety, subduing Liver fire.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Always blanch/boil fresh leaves in water and discard first boil (reduces extreme bitterness and excess barakol to prevent hepatic overload). Do not consume with high-dose alcohol. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

    Clinical Applications

    • Chronic psychogenic insomnia and sleep-onset latency, generalized anxiety and nervous restlessness (GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulation), Stage 1 essential hypertension, and constipation.

    Quality Markers

    Barakol (巴拉考尔 / Anhydrobarakol) >= 0.80%-1.50% & Cassiarins A-F (HPLC Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Barakol acts as a selective positive allosteric modulator at GABAA benzodiazepine receptors and inhibits dopamine/serotonin reuptake, inducing restorative deep sleep without motor hangover. 2. Anthraquinones promote colonic motility.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN KHI-LEK DEEP SLEEP BROTH (Kaeng Khi-Lek): 100 g fresh tender leaves boiled in water twice (water discarded to reduce extreme bitterness), simmered in light coconut turmeric broth with ginger for dinner. Dried leaf tea: 5-10 g (steeped 1h before bed).

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Deep Sleep & Anti-Anxiety Synergy with Ziziphus spinosa seeds (Suan Zao Ren) and Chamomile. 2. Liver-Yang Hypertension Tea with Chrysanthemum morifolium.

    Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

    No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

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