Bái Dòu Kòu (白豆蔻), known in English as White cardamom fruit (Amomum kravanh), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Aromatic, transform damp category. It enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: transforms Damp, moves qi.
| Pinyin | Bái Dòu Kòu (Bai Dou Kou) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 白豆蔻 |
| English | White cardamom fruit |
| Botanical name | Amomum kravanh |
| Category | Aromatic, transform damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 3–6g (add near the end) |
| Cautions | Yin and Blood deficiency with dryness; no Cold-Damp |
Actions
- Transforms Damp, moves qi
- Warms Middle Jiao, stops vomiting
- Opens appetite, reduces food stagnation
Indications
- Damp turbidity obstructing Middle Jiao with no appetite
- Early Damp-Warmth with chest oppression and no hunger
- Vomiting from Cold-Damp
- Chest and abdominal distension and pain
- Food stagnation
How to remember Bái Dòu Kòu
Aromatic, transform damp herbs are mostly warm or hot and acrid, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid: like most Aromatic, transform damp herbs
- Spleen and Stomach channels: from its action “Warms Middle Jiao”
- Learn by heart
- Lung channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Bái Dòu Kòu
Other Aromatic, transform damp herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Bái Dòu Kòu?
Bái Dòu Kòu is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Bái Dòu Kòu enter?
Bái Dòu Kòu enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Bái Dòu Kòu?
Transforms Damp, moves qi; Warms Middle Jiao, stops vomiting; Opens appetite, reduces food stagnation.
What is Bái Dòu Kòu used for?
Damp turbidity obstructing Middle Jiao with no appetite; early Damp-Warmth with chest oppression and no hunger; vomiting from Cold-Damp; chest and abdominal distension and pain; food stagnation.
Which formulas contain Bái Dòu Kòu?
Gān Lù Xiāo Dú Dān.
Practise Bái Dòu Kòu and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.