INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Fructus Amomi Rotundus |
| Common English: | Fructus Amomi Kravanh Round Cardamon Cardamon Cluster Amomum |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Acrid Aromatic |
Warm
|
Lung Spleen Stomach |
2-10g Powder: 1.5-5g tincture: 1-3ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Promotes the movement of Qi, aromatically transforms Dampness and strengthens the Stomach |
Dampness Obstructing the Middle Jiao and Damp-Warmth (a stifling sensation in the chest, fullness in the epigastrium, anorexia and a very greasy tongue coat) |
Warms the Middle Jiao, descends Qi and stops vomiting |
Vomiting due to Spleen and Stomach, Deficiency Cold, Spleen and Stomach Cold, Cold Dampness and Food Stagnation Rebellious Stomach Qi with vomiting, belching |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
|
INCOMPATIBILITIES |
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Fr. Amomi |
Per. Citri Reticulatae |
|
Fullness and a stifling sensation in the chest, epigastric pain and fullness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and a thick tongue coat due to Qi Obstruction from Cold-Dampness.
|
Fullness and discomfort in the chest and abdomen, belching, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with turbid Dampness Accumulation. |
Headache, stifling sensations in the chest, fatigue, dark, scanty urine and diarrhea, usually with a white, greasy tongue coat as in the early stages of a warm febrile disease. Exterior syndromes with more Dampness than Heat. |
Damp-Warm febrile disease in the Middle Jiao with recurrent fevers, dark, scanty urination, a yellow tongue coat and body aches. Exterior syndromes with more Heat than dampness. |
Distention due to Qi Stagnation or Cold-Damp in the Spleen and Stomach. |
Nausea, vomiting, epigastric discomfort and anorexia due to either Cold-Damp or Food Stagnation. |
Flos Caryophylli |
||
Belching due to Stomach Cold. |
Powdered and placed inside an infants mouth for spitting up of milk. |
Dampness Accumulation in the Middle Jiao. |
- Some sources say that this herb transforms Stagnation, digests food and relieves alcohol intoxication.
- It also treats eye disorders such as superficial visual obstruction and redness of the canthus.
- It is particularly effective for dredging and dispersing Lung Qi blockage.
- This herb also treats nervous Deficiency with mental and physical fatigue.
- It is also said that this herb treats diarrhea with undigested food, especially raw vegetables.
- This herb is good for colic and vomiting milk.
- It is often used with Fr. Amomi Sha Ren for pain and distention of the abdomen with vomiting and diarrhea. Sha Ren is better for problems of the Middle and Lower Jiaos such as diarrhea, while Bai Dou Kou is more appropriate for problems of the Upper and Middle Jiaos such as vomiting.
- Bai Dou Kou, Fr. Tsaoko Cao Guo and Sm. Myristicae Rou Dou Kou all warm the Stomach and awaken the Spleen. Bai Dou Kou has a superior clear aroma and intense acridity. It has no astringent taste in the mouth and excels at raising upward, opening and draining Upper Jiao Qi Stagnation. Cao Guo and Rou Dou Kou are restricted to the Middle Jiao.
- Both Bai Dou Kou and Fr. Amomi Cao Dou Kou mobilize the Qi, ease the Stomach, warm the Middle and transform Dampness. Cao Dou Kou does not mobilize the Qi as well nor does it disseminate Lung Qi as effectively but is warmer and better at drying turbid Dampness. It may substitute for Bai Dou Kou.
- Round Cardamon Kernels Bai Dou Kou Ren are more potent at promoting the flow of Qi and transforming Dampness, warming the Stomach and alleviating nausea. They are used to treat nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain due to Stomach Cold and Qi Stasis.
- Round Cardamon Husks (Pericarpium Amomi Rotundum) Bai Dou Kou Ke are not as warm as the Kernels but they do regulate the Qi ease the Middle and alleviate nausea. They are used for Qi Stasis, abdominal distension, anorexia and nausea.
- Round Cardamon Flowers (Flos Amomi Rotundum) Bai Dou Kou Hua are neutral , acrid, unbind the Stomach, relieve the chest and eliminate distention.