Bái Dòu Kòu (白豆蔻) — Round Cardamom
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Bái Dòu Kòu (白豆蔻) is the dried fruit of Amomum kravanh (round/white cardamom). It belongs to the category of Aromatic herbs that transform Damp in the Chinese Materia Medica and is widely used in Chinese herbal medicine to revive the Spleen, warm the middle burner and relieve epigastric distension. It is botanically and clinically related to Shā Rén.
I prescribe Bái Dòu Kòu as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Bái Dòu Kòu |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 白豆蔻 |
| Latin name | Amomum kravanh |
| English name | Round cardamom / White cardamom |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels entered | Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
| Category | Aromatic herbs that transform Damp |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Transforms Damp and revives the Spleen
- Warms the middle and stops vomiting
- Moves Qi in the chest and middle burner
Indications
- Damp-cold obstructing the middle burner with epigastric distension, loss of appetite and a thick greasy tongue coating
- Nausea and vomiting from Stomach-cold and Damp
- Damp warm-febrile disease (Wēn Bìng) in the early stage with chest oppression and a slimy coating
4. Modern research
Round cardamom contains an essential oil rich in 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, sabinene and terpinen-4-ol. Studies report carminative, antimicrobial, mild prokinetic and antiemetic effects. Because of the volatile oil, the herb is added late to decoctions; granule extracts retain a high oil content if processed appropriately.
5. Cautions and contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with Yin-deficient heat or bleeding from heat in the Blood. Use cautiously in pregnancy.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).
6. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Bái Dòu Kòu as part of tailored herbal formulas for chronic bloating with Damp-cold features, low appetite with a thick greasy tongue, post-meal heaviness and IBS-type presentations dominated by cold Damp. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.
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