Shā Rén (砂仁), known in English as Amomum fruit (Amomum villosum), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Aromatic, transform damp category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach and Kidney channels. Its main action: transforms Damp, opens appetite.
| Pinyin | Shā Rén (Sha Ren) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 砂仁 |
| English | Amomum fruit |
| Botanical name | Amomum villosum |
| Category | Aromatic, transform damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Kidney |
| Dosage | 3–6g (add near the end) |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat |
Actions
- Transforms Damp, opens appetite
- Warms Spleen, stops diarrhoea
- Moves qi, calms foetus
Indications
- Damp obstructing Middle Jiao with fullness and no appetite
- Spleen and Stomach deficiency Cold with vomiting and diarrhoea
- Morning sickness
- Restless foetus
How to remember Shā Rén
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 channel: from its action “Warms Spleen”
- Stomach channel: from its use for “Spleen and Stomach deficiency Cold with vomiting and diarrhoea”
- Learn by heart
- Kidney channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Aromatic, transform damp herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Shā Rén?
Shā Rén is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Shā Rén enter?
Shā Rén enters the Spleen, Stomach and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Shā Rén?
Transforms Damp, opens appetite; Warms Spleen, stops diarrhoea; Moves qi, calms foetus.
What is Shā Rén used for?
Damp obstructing Middle Jiao with fullness and no appetite; Spleen and Stomach deficiency Cold with vomiting and diarrhoea; morning sickness; restless foetus.
Practise Shā Rén 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.