Source Round Cardamon Fruit is the dried fruit of Amomum kravanh Pirre ex Gagnep. (Fam. Zingiberaceae).
Producing Areas Mainly produced in East Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Sri Lanka. Cultivated in Yunnan, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces in China.
Properties Spicy, Warm
Channels Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Action
- Moves qi, strongly dissolves dampness, and strengthens the stomach
For damp-heat febrile diseases with symptoms such as lack of appetite, abdominal fullness and distension, chest congestion, and a greasy tongue coat. - Warms the spleen and stomach, and descends rebellious qi
For nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and other cold stomach conditions.Usage and Dosage
3 – 6g is decocted for oral use, or in pills or powder. It should be broken before decocting.
Notes Contraindicated in the case with dryness of the blood due to yin-deficiency, flaming-up fire in the lung and stomach or without cold-dampness.
Bai Doukou (Amomum Krevanh Pierre ex Gagnep)
Indonesian Bai Doukou (Amomum compactum Soland. Ex Maton)
It is slightly smaller, yellowish white externally, sometimes slightly purplish. The pericarp is thin and the seed is shrivelled. It is weak in flavour and smell.
Storage
Keep in a cool, dry place. It will bleed oil and lose fragrance after long Storage.
Description of Quality Herb
The good one is big and full-grained, with thin and white pericarp, and strong flavour and smell.
Professional Advice
Identifying Bai Doukou and Doukou shell
Doukou shell is similar with Bai Doukou in nature and
Action but weaker than it. It is suitable for stagnation of qi due to accumulation of dampness, fullness in the epigastric region, poor appetite and vomiting. 3 – 5g is decocted for oral use, added later.