Alpinia katsumadai, Galangal Seed, Cao Dou Kou 草豆蔻

Katsumada Galangal seed
Cao Dou Kou (TCM)

Alpinia Cao Dou Kou
(Adam, 2017)

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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

2. Warms the Stomach, Stops Vomiting:
-Belching, Nausea, Vomiting

DOSE:
3–6 grams in Decoction
1–3 grams in Powder

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. Damp obstructing the Stomach and Spleen, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Atractylodes Cang Zhu and Magnolia Hou Po.
4. Chronic cold diarrhea, Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou with Cinnamon and Nutmeg
5. 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: