Amomi Fructus Rotundus
Aliases：Bai Dou Kou、Bai Kou、Bai Kou Ren、Dou Kou、Kou Mi
Doukou (Round Cardamom), a Chinese medicinal, is the dried ripe fruit of Amomum kravanh Pierre ex Gagnep. or Amomum compactum Soland ex Maton, plants of the Zingiberaceae family (genus Amomum).
Efficacy & Actions
Transform dampness and move qi, warm the middle to stop vomiting, and stimulate appetite to promote digestion.
Indications
Dampness turbidity obstructing the middle with spleen‑stomach qi stagnation: Manifestations include epigastric and abdominal distension, poor appetite, chest stuffiness without hunger, and white greasy tongue coating due to dampness encumbering the spleen. Spleen‑stomach cold‑dampness with vomiting and hiccup: Manifestations include nausea, vomiting, hiccup, and regurgitation due to stomach cold, especially suitable for cold‑dampness vomiting. Food stagnation with indigestion: Helps digestion and resolves food accumulation. Early‑stage damp‑warm disease: Can be used for early‑stage damp‑warm disease with pathogenic factor at the qi level, manifested as headache, chills, heavy painful body, chest stuffiness without appetite.
Modern Pharmacology
Promotion of digestion and stomach function: The volatile oil stimulates gastric juice secretion, enhances gastrointestinal motility, and eliminates flatulence, thereby improving appetite and digestive function. Anti‑inflammatory and antibacterial effects: Exhibits inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Helicobacter pylori, and other pathogenic microorganisms. Antiemetic and anti‑ulcer effects: Relieves nausea and vomiting by modulating the central nervous system and gastrointestinal smooth muscle; also reduces gastric acid secretion and promotes the repair of the gastric mucosa.
Ingredients
Volatile oils: These are the main active components of cardamom and are present in relatively high amounts. Eucalyptol (1,8‑cineole): The most abundant component, accounting for 65%–70% of the volatile oil. It is the material basis for cardamom‘s acrid, cool aroma and its pharmacological effects. α‑Pinene and β‑Pinene Bornyl acetate Limonene Other components: Also contain flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and various other compounds.
Usage & Dosage
Storage: Store in a cool, well‑ventilated, dry place in an airtight container, protected from insects. Note: Contains volatile oils; avoid high temperatures and prolonged exposure to air.
Contraindications
1. Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with blood dryness: Cardamom is warm and drying in nature, which may easily consume body fluids. It should be avoided in those with yin deficiency and blazing fire or blood deficiency with fluid depletion (manifesting as dry mouth and tongue, dry stools, and vexing heat in the palms, soles, and chest). 2. Contraindicated in cases of excess heat patterns: It is not suitable for epigastric and abdominal distension, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by damp‑heat or excess heat. 3. Use with caution during pregnancy: Cardamom is warm in nature and may cause excessive heat or constipation. Pregnant women should use it only under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
1. For stomach cold abdominal pain, poor appetite, and vomiting Formula name: Doukou Tang (Cardamom Decoction) – Shengji Zonglu Ingredients: White cardamom seed mass (Bai Dou Kou Ren) 15 g, clove (Dingxiang) 15 g, white atractylodes (Baizhu) 30 g, ginseng (Renshen) 15 g, dried ginger (Ganjiang) 15 g, honey‑fried licorice (Zhigancao) 15 g. Usage: Grind into coarse powder. Take 9 g each time, decoct in water and take orally. Indication: Stomach cold abdominal pain, poor appetite, vomiting, and incessant hiccup. 2. For early‑stage damp‑warm disease with chest stuffiness, no appetite, and heavy painful body Formula name: Sanren Tang (Three‑Seed Decoction) – Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases (Wenbing Tiaobian) Ingredients: Apricot seed (Xingren) 15 g, white cardamom seed mass (Bai Dou Kou Ren) 6 g, coix seed (Yiyiren) 18 g, magnolia bark (Houpo) 6 g, pinellia (Banxia) 15 g, lophatherum leaf (Zhuye) 6 g, tetrapanax stem (Tongcao) 6 g, talc (Huashi) 18 g. Usage: Decoct in water, one dose per day. Indication: Early‑stage damp‑warm disease with pathogenic factor at the qi level, manifesting as headache, chills, heavy painful body, chest stuffiness without appetite, afternoon fever, pale yellowish complexion, white tongue coating, and absence of thirst. 3. For spleen‑stomach qi stagnation with epigastric distension and poor appetite Formula name: Doukou San (Cardamom Powder) – Peaceful Holy Benevolent Prescriptions (Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang) Ingredients: White cardamom seed mass, amomum fruit (Suo Sha Ren), honey‑fried licorice, and aged tangerine peel (Chenpi) – equal parts. Usage: Grind into fine powder. Take 3–6 g each time, add a little salt, and steep in boiling water. Indication: Spleen‑stomach qi stagnation, epigastric and abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting, and poor appetite. 4. For stomach cold vomiting and hiccup Formula name: Bai Doukou Wan (White Cardamom Pill) – Taiping Shenghui Fang Ingredients: White cardamom seed mass 30 g, long pepper (Bibo) 30 g, cinnamon bark (Guixin) 30 g, clove (Dingxiang) 30 g, ginseng (Renshen) 30 g, aged tangerine peel (Chen Jupi) 30 g (soaked in water, white part removed, and baked). Usage: Grind into fine powder, mix with refined honey to make pills the size of a mung bean. Take 20 pills each time with ginger decoction. Indication: Stomach cold vomiting, hiccup, and chest and diaphragm stuffiness. 5. For infantile spleen‑stomach weakness, poor appetite, and indigestion Formula name: Doukou Wan (Cardamom Pill) – Standards of Pattern Identification and Treatment (Zhengzhi Zhunsheng) Ingredients: White cardamom seed mass, costus root (Muxiang), ginseng (Renshen), amomum fruit (Sharen), aged tangerine peel (Chenpi), stir‑fried white atractylodes (Baizhu), and Chinese yam (Shanyao) – equal parts. Usage: Grind into fine powder, mix with flour paste to make pills the size of sesame seeds. Take 10–20 pills each time with rice water. Indication: Infantile spleen‑stomach weakness, anorexia, indigestion, and emaciation. 6. For cold‑dampness encumbering the spleen with white greasy tongue coating and heavy, tired body Formula name: Houpo Wen Zhong Tang (Magnolia Bark Decoction for Warming the Middle) – Differentiation of Internal and External Injuries (Neiwaishang Bianhuo Lun) Ingredients: Magnolia bark (Houpo) 15 g, white cardamom seed mass 9 g, aged tangerine peel (Chenpi) 9 g, costus root (Muxiang) 9 g, poria (Fuling) 9 g, licorice (Gancao) 6 g, dried ginger (Ganjiang) 6 g. Usage: Decoct in water, one dose per day. Indication: Cold‑dampness encumbering the spleen, epigastric and abdominal distension, poor appetite, loose stools, heavy tired body, and white greasy tongue coating.
Daily Consumption
1. Cardamom Congee Ingredients: Cardamom (Bai Dou Kou) 5 g, japonica rice 100 g. Preparation: Cook the rice into congee. When the congee is almost done, add the cardamom powder (ground cardamom seed mass), stir well, and cook briefly. Alternatively, cardamom may be decocted first to obtain the liquid, then the liquid is used to cook the congee. Action: Transforms dampness, moves qi, stimulates appetite, and promotes digestion. Indicated for poor appetite and epigastric and abdominal distension. 2. Cardamom and Tangerine Peel Drink Ingredients: Cardamom (Bai Dou Kou) 3 g, tangerine peel (Chenpi) 5 g, fresh ginger 2 slices. Preparation: Steep in boiling water or decoct briefly. Action: Regulates qi, fortifies the stomach, warms the middle, and stops vomiting. Indicated for stomach cold with abdominal distension, vomiting, and hiccup.
Medicinal Parts
dried ripe fruit (seed mass)
Selection & Storage
Storage: Store in a cool, well‑ventilated, dry place in an airtight container, protected from insects. Note: Contains volatile oils; avoid high temperatures and prolonged exposure to air.