Katsumadai Seed (Cao Dou Kou)

草荳蔻

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: 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.

Natural Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm

Meridians: Spleen and stomach

Therapeutic Effects:
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