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Shan Nai山柰

Kaempferiae Rhizoma · Sand Ginger · Aromatic Ginger · Kaempferia Rhizome

Herbs that Warm the Interior 温里药Ben Cao Gang Mu 《本草纲目》(Ming)

Overview

An aromatic ginger-family rhizome, also a familiar kitchen spice in southern China, used to warm the middle burner, dry damp and move food stagnation along. Acrid and warm, it enters the Stomach channel, and its character is fragrant rather than fierce: it rouses a Spleen dulled by cold damp instead of driving cold out by force. It is also applied locally for toothache.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Warm

Channels

Stomach

Typical Dosage

6–9 g in decoction; appropriate amount for external use
山柰Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Warms the middle, dries dampCold-damp obstructing the middle burner: fullness of the chest and epigastrium, a heavy head, a sticky bland taste, loose stools.
  • Moves qi, disperses food stagnationDistension after eating, belching and poor appetite where cold damp and undigested food sit together.
  • Stops painCold epigastric pain internally; ground and applied to the gum or used as a mouth rinse for toothache.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Shan Nai

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

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Fullness of the chest and epigastrium from cold damp
    - Cold epigastric and abdominal pain
    - Food stagnation with distension and belching
    - Toothache (external use)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Functional dyspepsiaBloatingPoor appetiteToothache

Contraindications

Cautions

Warm, acrid and aromatic — inappropriate in yin deficiency with heat, in blood deficiency, and where there is smouldering heat in the Stomach. Culinary amounts in cooking are food; the 6–9 g medicinal dose is not, and belongs to a prescription.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical pregnancy prohibition, and it is eaten as a spice, but medicinal doses during pregnancy should be left to the treating practitioner.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ben Cao Gang Mu《本草纲目》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》(2020 edition).
    4. 《中药学》(新世纪第二版), chapter on herbs that warm the interior.

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.