Bai Dou Kou – Cardamom fruit – Cluster – Amomum cardamomum or A. kravanh (syn: Elettaria cardamomum) “White Cardamom”

Nature: acrid, warm

Enters: Spleen, Stomach, Lung

Actions: Warms the middle Jiao; promotes Qi circulation, transforms stagnation; stops vomiting; transforms dampness; descends rebellious Qi.

Indications:
• Dampness and Qi stagnation in the spleen and stomach: distending pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, fullness in the chest.
• Stomach cold, or cold from deficiency of the spleen and stomach: vomiting.
• Damp warm-febrile disease: stifling sensation in the chest, lack of appetite, very greasy tongue coat.
• Not too warm (cooler than Sha ren) alright for use with damp-heat.
• Smash before using.
• When decocting, add near the end.
MLT: Sha ren is better for the middle and lower Jiao, while Bai dou kou is better for the middle and upper Jiao.
Hsu: Stomachic, antiemetic, stimulates GI secretions and intestinal peristalsis, inhibits abnormal fermentation in intestines, dispels accumulated air in GI tract, prevents vomiting.
Yoga: Ela: pungent, sweet/heating/pungent; V, K-; P+ (in excess)
• Affects digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems.
• Stimulant, expectorant, carminative, stomachic, diaphoretic.
• Awakens the spleen, kindles Agni, removes Kapha from the stomach and Lungs.
• Stops vomiting, belching, and acid regurgitation. Good, safe digestive stimulant.
• Stimulates the mind and heart, and gives clarity and joy.
Sattvic. Opens and soothes the flow of the Pranas.
• For colds, cough, bronchitis, asthma, hoarseness, loss of taste, poor absorption, indigestion.
• Nervous digestive upset in children or for high Vata (good with fennel for this).
• Add this herb to milk to neutralize milk’s mucus-forming properties.
• Detoxifies the caffeine in coffee.
• Stimulates absorption from the small intestine.

Dose: 3-6g in decoction, or, preferably, 1.5-4.5g directly as powder.

2 comments on “Bai Dou Kou – Cardamom fruit – Cluster – Amomum cardamomum or A. kravanh (syn: Elettaria cardamomum) “White Cardamom”

  1. Rita says:

    Gratidão pelas informações sobre o cardamomo.
    Já faço uso com iogurte de leite processado por Kefir.
    Funciona para mim para evitar formação de muco e TAMBÉM para ascender o fogo digestivo (agni).
    Gosto da medicina ayurvedica e sei quê muitas ervas são usadas na medicina chinesa também.
    São ciências quê se complemetam.
    Gostei muito do seu artigo.
    Desejo quê você continue compartilhando sua sabedoria conosco.

    Namastê

    Rita.

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