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