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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Spleen-Tonifying, Convalescent Starch & Gastroprotective Sovereign (健脾益气 / 生肌敛疮涩肠止泻消食化积抗肿瘤清热解毒 — 太平洋波利尼西亚与南洋第一营养淀粉圣薯 / 消化道溃疡与康复滋补药王)

    蒟蒻薯 / 水田七 / 田七蒟蒻 / 箭根薯同属 / 假田七 — Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze (syn. Tacca involucrata)

    Pinyin: Jǔruòshǔ / Shuǐtiánqī / Tiánqī Jǔruò · Malay: Pokok Lukeh / Lukeh / Ubi Lukeh / Tepung Lukeh · Family: Dioscoreaceae (薯蓣科 / 蒟蒻薯科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Neutral to Warm (平 / 甘平)

    Flavor

    Sweet, bland, soothing starchy (甘、淡、平、清香柔滑)

    Meridians

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

    Traditional Edict

    Polynesian Arrowroot (Pokok Lukeh / Ju Ruo Shu / Shui Tian Qi). Massive subterranean starch tubers. Traditional multi-water washing protocol removes bitter taccalin, yielding the world's most gentle digestible arrowroot starch (Tepung Lukeh) for infant weaning, dysentery recovery.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • NEVER INGEST RAW UNWASHED TUBERS (contains bitter irritant taccalin; multi-water washed starch is 100% non-toxic, safe, and nutritious). High pediatric and gestational safety profile.

    Clinical Applications

    • Post-dysentery gastrointestinal convalescence, peptic and duodenal ulcers (protective hydrocolloid coating), pediatric weaning malnutrition, and chronic watery diarrhea.

    Quality Markers

    Taccalonolides, Pure Digestible Starch >= 75.0%-85.0%, Taccalin (bitter principle, removed by washing) & b-Sitosterol

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Purified digestible amylose/amylopectin starch coats denuded gastric mucosa, buffering hydrochloric acid. 2. Stimulates bifidobacteria to produce butyrate. 3. Taccalonolides exert antineoplastic actions.

    Preparation & Dosage

    TRADITIONAL LUKEH ARROWROOT STARCH PURIFICATION PROTOCOL: Grate fresh tubers into cold water, filter through muslin, allow starch to settle; repeat water wash 3x (removes bitter taccalin); sun-dry pure white starch (Tepung Lukeh). Take 20-30 g boiled in milk/water.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Sovereign Convalescent Gastroprotective Porridge (Tepung Lukeh) with Dioscorea opposita (Shan Yao). 2. Post-Dysentery Restorative Gruel with Polygonatum odoratum (Yu Zhu).

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