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Alpinia katsumadai, Galangal Seed, Cao Dou Kou 草豆蔻

Katsumada Galangal seed
Cao Dou Kou (TCM)
Picture
Alpinia hainanensis
(Photo by 阿橋) (Wikimedia)

Picture
Alpinia Cao Dou Kou
(Adam, 2017)

Botanical name:
Alpinia katsumadai (syn. Alpinia hainanensis)

Parts used:
Seed

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Aromatic

Classification:
J. Aromatics that Resolve Dampness

Uses:
1. Warms the Stomach, Moves Qi, Dries Damp:

-fullness, distention, and cold pain in the stomach or abdomen
-epigastric distention, loss of appetite
-used for Cold-Damp-Phlegm obstructing chest or abdomen
-Diarrhea
-"Warms the interior, relieves epigastric and abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting". (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-"
disperses stagnation of pathogenic Cold of all kinds". (Kai Bao Ben Cao)
-"Relieves melancholy and activates Qi". (Li Shi Zhen)

2. Warms the Stomach, Stops Vomiting:
-Belching, Nausea, Vomiting
-Morning Sickness (Li Shi Zhen)

Dose:
Decoction: 3–6 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams

Comment:
The flower has also been used in TCM. It strengthens the Stomach, stops rising Stomach Qi, and alleviates Nausea. It was also said to detoxify alcoholism. (Da Ming)

Substitute:

1. Alpinia Galanga Semen, Hong Dou Kou is used similarly, and is regarded as stronger.
2. Amomum tsao-ko, Cao Guo has similar effects, but is regarded as weaker.
Picture

Main Combinations:
1. Cold and Weakness of the Stomach with abdominal pain, distention, stagnation, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Galangal root
2. Cold abdominal pain, poor appetite, belching of clear fluid, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Evodia Wu Zhu Yu
3. Anorexia with deficiency, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Chaenomelas (Mu Gua), Mume (Wu Mei), Amomum Sha Ren, Distillers Yeast, Licorice, fresh Ginger (a formula of Kou Zong Shi)
4. Damp obstructing the Stomach and Spleen, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Atractylodes Cang Zhu and Magnolia Hou Po.
5. Chronic cold diarrhea, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Cinnamon and Nutmeg
6. Cold Phlegm obstructing the Stomach and Chest, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Citrus Chen Pi and Pinellia Ban Xia

Cautions:
Not used for Yin and Blood deficiency

Main Preparations used:

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