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    Yemama Apothecary

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    Extreme-Bitter Warm-Dispelling & Stasis-Breaking Sovereign (温中散寒 / 苦温燥湿破血逐瘀消肿止痛杀虫药)

    紫红姜 / 奥氏姜 / 黑心苦姜 / 紫肉姜 — Zingiber ottensii Valeton

    Pinyin: Zǐhóngjiāng / Àoshìjiāng · Malay: Lempoyang Hitam / Lempoyang Gajah / Lempoyang Kumbang · Family: Zingiberaceae (姜科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (微温 / 温)

    Flavor

    Pungent, extremely bitter, aromatic (辛、极苦、大香)

    Meridians

    Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝)

    Traditional Edict

    Concentric purple-violet interior flesh. Warms middle burner to expel deep cold, breaks stubborn blood stasis, dries dampness to stop colic, kills intestinal worms. Sovereign Orang Asli postpartum herb.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • Extreme lingering bitterness. STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED in active pregnancy (potent blood-breaking, emmenagogue, and uterine-contracting properties) and bleeding peptic ulcers.

    Clinical Applications

    • Severe chronic osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, colitis), cervical cancer apoptosis (HeLa), post-thrombotic stasis, and intestinal parasites.

    Quality Markers

    Zerumbone, Ottensenol, Terpinen-4-ol & (E)-Nerolidol >= 1.00% (GC-MS/HPLC MHM standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Zerumbone and ottensenol block IKK/NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation, suppressing pro-inflammatory TNF-a, IL-1b, and COX-2. 2. Terpinen-4-ol inhibits platelet aggregation, promoting microvascular fibrinolysis. 3. Anthelmintic cuticle disruption.

    Preparation & Dosage

    Dried sliced purple discs decocted 20 minutes: 5-12 g daily (buffer bitterness with Glycyrrhiza). Fresh postpartum warming poultice (Param Lempoyang): 20-50 g. Standardized extract: 200-400 mg.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Postpartum Uterine Recovery Decoction (Jamu Bersalin) with Labisia pumila and Curcuma xanthorrhiza. 2. Rainforest Anti-Rheumatic Liniment with Piper betle and Kaempferia galanga.

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