Fructus Amomi Rotundus
Aliases：Duō Gǔ, Ké Kòu, Bái Kòu, Yuán Dòu Kòu, Kòu Mǐ, Dòu Kòu, Bái Kòu Rén, Kòu Mǐ.
Bái Dòu Kòu is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried mature fruit of Amomum kravanh Pierre ex Gagnep. or Amomum compactum Soland ex Maton, plants belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. According to the place of origin, it is divided into “Yuán Dòu Kòu” (Original Cardamom) and “Yìn Ní Bái Kòu” (Indonesian White Cardamom).
Efficacy & Actions
Resolves dampness and promotes Qi flow; warms the middle and stops vomiting; stimulates the appetite and aids digestion.
Indications
Indicated for dampness turbidity obstructing the middle, poor appetite, early-stage damp-warmth disease, chest tightness with no hunger, cold-dampness with vomiting and reflux, chest and abdominal distension and pain, and food stagnation with indigestion.
Modern Pharmacology
Digestive promotion: Volatile oil components stimulate the gastric mucosa, promote gastric juice secretion, enhance digestive enzyme activity, increase gastrointestinal motility, inhibit abnormal fermentation in the intestines, and expel gastrointestinal gas. Regulation of gastrointestinal motility: Low doses promote intestinal motility and relieve bloating; high doses inhibit smooth muscle spasms and alleviate abdominal pain. Antibacterial effects: Exhibits inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, and other bacteria. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects: Inhibits the NF-κB pathway, reduces the release of inflammatory cytokines; scavenges free radicals and alleviates oxidative stress damage. Antiemetic and anti-ulcer effects: Relieves nausea and vomiting by regulating the central nervous system and gastrointestinal smooth muscle; reduces gastric acid secretion and promotes gastric mucosal repair. Renal and hepatic protection: Exhibits renal protective and hepatoprotective activities. Antitumor effects.
Ingredients
White cardamom mainly contains volatile oils, flavonoids, diarylheptanoids, and other chemical components. The main components of the volatile oil include: 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpineol, caryophyllene, myrcene, carvone, terpinen-4-ol, d-borneol, d-camphor, and others. Organic acids, flavonoids, amino acids, alkaloids, lactones, and other components have also been identified from the water extract of white cardamom.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–9 g. When used in a decoction, it should be added last (should not be decocted for a long time). Alternatively, it may be made into pills or powders. It should be crushed before use.
Contraindications
Contraindicated or use with caution in patients with Yin deficiency and blood dryness. Not suitable for those with stomach heat and vomiting. Contraindicated during pregnancy. White cardamom should not be exposed to fire. It may be crushed but should not be stir-fried, as this will cause it to lose or diminish its characteristic aromatic flavor.
Selected Formulas
For chest and diaphragm fullness, poor appetite, and upper heat with lower cold (Boji Fang, Baidoukou San) Take 0.5 liang of Baidoukouren (cardamom seed), 3 pieces of Roudoukouren (nutmeg seed), 1 liang of Baizhu (Atractylodes), 0.5 liang of Rougui (Cinnamon), 0.5 liang of Qingjupi (green tangerine peel), 0.5 liang of Houpo (Magnolia bark), and 3 fen of Gancao (Licorice). Grind all seven ingredients into powder. For each dose, take 2 qian, add 1 cup of water, 2 slices of ginger, a little millet, and 2 red dates, decoct to 70%, strain, and take warm. For gastric and abdominal distension with vomiting (empirical formula) Take 3g of Baidoukou, 6g of Huoxiang (Pogostemon), 4.5g each of Banxia (Pinellia) and Chenpi (Tangerine peel), and 6g of fresh ginger. Decoct in water and drink. For spleen-stomach disharmony and stomach cold with distension (Bencao Gangmu, Taicang Wan) Take 2 liang each of Baidoukou and Suosharen (Amomum seed), 1 liang of Dingxiang (Clove), and 1 sheng of aged rice (stir-fried with yellow earth until scorched, then remove the earth). Grind together into powder, mix with ginger juice to form pills the size of waxberry seeds. Take 100 pills each time with ginger decoction. For spleen-stomach disharmony in children with aversion to cold, high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and refusal to nurse (Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, Baidoukou San) Take Baidoukouren, Chenpi, Baizhu, Gancao, etc., and make into powder for oral administration.
Daily Consumption
Cardamom Congee: Cardamom 5 g, polished round-grained rice 100 g. Cook the rice into congee, then add the ground cardamom powder when done, stir well, and consume in one serving. Effect: Resolves dampness and promotes Qi flow, suitable for poor appetite and other conditions. Cardamom, Ginger, and Pork Slices: Cardamom 3 g, fresh ginger 6 g, lean pork 60 g. Grind the cardamom into powder, shred the ginger, wash and slice the pork. When stir-frying, add the cardamom powder and shredded ginger before serving. Effect: Strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach, and descends counterflow to stop vomiting. Cardamom Steamed Buns: Cardamom 30 g, flour 1000 g, yeast 50 g. Grind cardamom into fine powder, sprinkle it into the fermented dough, knead well, shape into buns, and steam until cooked. Effect: Stimulates the appetite, strengthens the Spleen, regulates Qi, and relieves distension. Infusion or chewing: For food stagnation and bad breath, take 3 g of white cardamom and steep in boiling water for consumption, or chew 1–2 cardamom seeds in the mouth and swallow the juice. Culinary seasoning: Can be used in marinades and soup bases to remove fishy odors and enhance fragrance.
Medicinal Parts
Dried mature fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place in a sealed container, protected from insects.
