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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Astringent Lung, Voice-Restoring & Intestine-Binding Sovereign (敛肺止咳 / 利咽开音涩肠止泻降气药)

    诃子 / 诃梨勒 / 随风子 — Terminalia chebula Retz.

    Pinyin: Hèzǐ / Hēlílè · Malay: Manja Lawai / Haritaki / Pokok Jelawai · Family: Combretaceae (使君子科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Neutral to Warm (平 / 微温)

    Flavor

    Bitter, sour, astringent (苦、酸、涩)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Large Intestine (大肠)

    Traditional Edict

    King of Medicines in Tibetan and Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. Astringes Lung to stop cough and restore lost voice, binds intestines to halt chronic dysentery, directs counter-flow Qi downward.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Do not administer in early-stage exterior wind-cold cough or acute un-purged dysentery (prevents trapping pathogen).

    Clinical Applications

    • Chronic aphonia (loss of voice in teachers/singers), vocal cord nodules, chronic refractory diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, and oral aphthous stomatitis.

    Quality Markers

    Chebulinic Acid (诃黎勒酸) >= 1.50% & Chebulagic Acid (Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Chebulinic and chebulagic acids cross-link mucosal epithelial proteins, reducing vocal cord edema and restoring acoustic resonance. 2. Gallotannins inhibit gut bacterial enterotoxins (Shigella, E. coli). 3. Downregulates NF-kB and COX-2.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL PAOZHI: Raw de-seeded fruit for throat loss of voice; Roasted in Bran (Wei Hezi / 煨诃子) to remove oils and enhance astringency for chronic diarrhea. Decoct: 3-10 g daily.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. He Zi Pi Yin (诃子皮饮) with Platycodon (Jie Geng) and Licorice for severe hoarseness and loss of voice. 2. Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang for chronic collapse diarrhea.

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