Ròu Dòu Kòu (肉豆蔻), known in English as Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans (seed)), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Stabilise & bind category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: binds intestines, stops diarrhoea.
| Pinyin | Ròu Dòu Kòu (Rou Dou Kou) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 肉豆蔻 |
| English | Nutmeg |
| Botanical name | Myristica fragrans (seed) |
| Category | Stabilise & bind |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 3–10g (roasted) |
| Cautions | Diarrhoea or dysentery from Damp-Heat; toxic in large doses |
Actions
- Binds intestines, stops diarrhoea
- Warms Middle Jiao, moves qi
Indications
- Chronic diarrhoea from Spleen and Kidney deficiency Cold (cock-crow diarrhoea)
- Epigastric and abdominal distension and pain
- Poor appetite and vomiting
How to remember Ròu Dòu Kòu
Stabilise & bind herbs are mostly astringent and sweet, and most enter the Kidney channel.
- You can work these out
- Spleen channel: from its use for “Chronic diarrhoea from Spleen and Kidney deficiency Cold (cock-crow diarrhoea)”
- Stomach channel: from its action “Warms Middle Jiao”
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Binds intestines”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Stabilise & bind herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Stabilise & bind herbs (most are astringent or sweet)
Formulas containing Ròu Dòu Kòu
Other Stabilise & bind herbs
- Wǔ Wèi Zǐ
- Shān Zhū Yú
- Jīn Yīng Zǐ
- Qiàn Shí
- Lián Zǐ
- Fú Xiǎo Mài
- Wū Méi
- Hē Zǐ
- Chì Shí Zhī
- Chūn Pí
- Fù Pén Zǐ
- Sāng Piāo Xiāo
- Hǎi Piāo Xiāo
- Lián Xū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Ròu Dòu Kòu?
Ròu Dòu Kòu is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Ròu Dòu Kòu enter?
Ròu Dòu Kòu enters the Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Ròu Dòu Kòu?
Binds intestines, stops diarrhoea; Warms Middle Jiao, moves qi.
What is Ròu Dòu Kòu used for?
Chronic diarrhoea from Spleen and Kidney deficiency Cold (cock-crow diarrhoea); epigastric and abdominal distension and pain; poor appetite and vomiting.
Which formulas contain Ròu Dòu Kòu?
Jiàn Pí Wán.
Practise Ròu 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.