Cǎo Guǒ (草果), known in English as Tsaoko fruit (Amomum tsao-ko), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Aromatic, transform damp category. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: dries Damp, warms Middle Jiao.
| Pinyin | Cǎo Guǒ (Cao Guo) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 草果 |
| English | Tsaoko fruit |
| Botanical name | Amomum tsao-ko |
| Category | Aromatic, transform damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 3–6g |
| Cautions | Yin and Blood deficiency; no Cold-Damp |
Actions
- Dries Damp, warms Middle Jiao
- Checks malaria, dispels Phlegm
Indications
- Cold-Damp obstructing Middle Jiao with abdominal distension, pain, fullness and vomiting
- Malaria with chills and fever
- Epidemic febrile disease
How to remember Cǎo Guǒ
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”
Other Aromatic, transform damp herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Cǎo Guǒ?
Cǎo Guǒ is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Cǎo Guǒ enter?
Cǎo Guǒ enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Cǎo Guǒ?
Dries Damp, warms Middle Jiao; Checks malaria, dispels Phlegm.
What is Cǎo Guǒ used for?
Cold-Damp obstructing Middle Jiao with abdominal distension, pain, fullness and vomiting; malaria with chills and fever; epidemic febrile disease.
Practise Cǎo Guǒ 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.