cao dou kou

草豆蔻·Semen Alpiniae Katsumadai

Katsumada'S Galangal Seeds

About cao dou kou

Cao Dou Kou (草豆蔻) is the seed of Katsumada's galangal, a member of the ginger family, recorded as Semen Alpiniae Katsumadai. It is acrid and aromatic in flavour, warm in temperature, and enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the aromatic herbs that transform Damp.

Names

Pinyincao dou kou
Chinese草豆蔻
Latin NameSemen Alpiniae Katsumadai
English NameKatsumada'S Galangal Seeds·katsumadai·katsumadai; katsumada's galangal seeds
Japanesesozuku
Koreanchodugu

Classification

Channels
Stomach, Spleen
Flavour
Acrid, Aromatic
Temperature
Warm
Part used
Seed
Family
Zingiberaceae
Species
Alpina Katsumadai
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Aromatically dries Damp, warms the Middle Jiao, directs Stomach Qi down to stop vomiting, and strengthens the Spleen

  • Vomiting and diarrhea with a full, distended, aching epigastrium and abdomen, from Cold-Damp in the Spleen and Stomach
  • Damp with Cold rather than Heat: an abdomen that feels cold, full and achy, vomiting of clear fluid (not sour or foul matter), a sluggish appetite, loose stools and a white greasy tongue coat
  • A Spleen dulled by Damp, which its aromatic quality rouses as well as dries

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 1.5-7g crush and add near the end; Tincture: 1-3ml1.5-7 g1-3 ml

Cautions