Katsumadai
seed (Caodoukou)
Pharmaceutical Name : Semen Alpiniae katsumadai
Botanical Name : Alpinia katsumadai Hayata
Common Name : Katsumadai seed
Source of Earliest Record : Mingyi Bielu
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : The yellow fruit is gathered
in summer or autumn and dried in the sun.
The seeds are smashed after the flesh of the
fruit has been peeled off.
Properties & Taste : Pungent and warm
Meridians : Spleen and stomach
Functions :
1. To dry dampness and warm the spleen and
stomach;
2. To promote qi circulation
Indications & Combinations: Cold-damp
blocking and stagnating spleen and stomach
manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension
and fullness, cold pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
In cases of excessive dampness, Katsumadai
seed (Caodoukou) is used with Magnolia bark
(Houpo), Atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu) and
Pinellia tuber (Banxia). In cases of excessive
cold, Katsumadai seed (Caodoukou) is used
with Cinnamon bark (Rougui) and Dried ginger
(Ganjiang).
Dosage: 3-6 g |
