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Latin pharmacognostic name: Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen

Alternate Chinese names: 豆蔻 dòu kòu; 草蔻 cǎo kòu; 草寇仁 cǎo kòu rén; 草蔻仁 cǎo kòu rén; 草豆蔻仁 cǎo dòu kòu rén

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Alpinia katsumadai Hayata. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Origin (other sources): Alpinia katsumadai Hayata*

Use: Medicinal

Category: Aromatic dampness-transforming agents

Properties: Acrid; warm.

Channel entry: Spleen and stomach channels.

Indications:

• Dries dampness and moves qì: Spleen-stomach qì stagnation with cold-damp obstructing the center.
• Warms the center and disperses cold; checks vomiting and diarrhea: Center cold with vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Dosage & Method: Oral: 3–6g in decoctions, added at the end.

Warnings: Because cǎo dòu kòu is warm and dry, it is contraindicated in yīn-blood vacuity.

Product Description: This is a globular or elliptical mass of small seeds, 1.5–2.5 cm in diameter, gray or brown in color, separated by membranes into three segments of tightly packed seeds. The seeds are ovate or angular, 3–5 mm long and 3 mm in diameter. They have a gray or brown exterior and are covered with a white translucent pseudotesta. When crushed, they reveal their white interior. This fruit is similar in form to 白豆蔻.

Quality: Large, firm seed conglomerations are the best.

Product Area: Guǎngdōng, Guǎngxī.

Etymology: The name cǎo dòu kòu 草豆蔻 literally means grass cardamom.

See also: Bái dòu kòu (白豆蔻 Amomi Fructus Rotundus, cardamom)

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