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Cura x Cura

Cao Dou Kou草豆蔻

Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen · Katsumada's Galangal Seed · Chinese Cardamom

Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness 化湿药《雷公炮炙论》

Overview

The seed of Alpinia katsumadai, an acrid, warm aromatic of the damp-transforming group. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels to dry damp, warm the middle and move stagnant qi, and it is the choice when cold-damp sits in the middle burner with fullness, a bland sticky taste in the mouth, nausea and vomiting. Like the other aromatic seeds it is crushed and added late in the decoction so that its oils are not driven off.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Warm

Channels

Spleen · Stomach

Typical Dosage

3–6 g in decoction
草豆蔻Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Dries damp, warms the middleCold-damp in the middle burner with epigastric and abdominal fullness, cold pain and a thick white greasy coating.
  • Moves qi, harmonizes the Stomach, stops vomitingNausea, vomiting and belching where cold-damp blocks the Stomach qi from descending.
  • Awakens the appetitePoor appetite with a bland, sticky taste in the mouth and no thirst.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Cao Dou Kou

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cold, distended epigastric and abdominal fullness
    - Nausea, vomiting and belching from cold-damp
    - Poor appetite with a thick white greasy tongue coating

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

DyspepsiaNauseaBloatingGastritis

Contraindications

Cautions

Acrid, warm and drying: not for yin- or blood-deficient patterns with heat, and not where thirst and dryness are prominent. Prolonged cooking wastes its aromatic action, so it is added at the end rather than boiled with the rest.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No classical contraindication — practitioner judgment applies.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. 《中华人民共和国药典》(Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. Chen & Chen. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.