INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Semen Alpiniae Katsumadai
Common English: Katsumada's Galangal Seeds
Katsumadai
Alpinia Katsumadai     
Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Acrid
Warm
Aromatic
Spleen
Stomach
1.5-7g crush and add near the end
Tincture: 1-3ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Dries Dampness, warms the Middle Jiao, stops vomiting and strengthens the Spleen

Cold-Dampness Distressing the Spleen and Stomach with fullness, distention and pain in the epigastrium and abdomen with vomiting and diarrhea

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with Yin or Blood Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated for those with malarial disorders not due to miasmic Qi.
  • Contraindicated if there are no Cold symptoms.
  • Contraindicated for those with Epigastric pain due to Fire.
  • Contraindicated for those with explosive diarrhea with thirst which is due to Summerheat and Damp-Heat.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Fr. Evodiae
Wu Zhu Yu

Rz. Alpiniae Officinarum
Gao Liang Jiang

Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po

Abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, pale lips and tongue, and regurgitation of clear fluid due to Stomach Cold.

Anorexia and abdominal pain and distention due to Spleen Deficiency with Damp Obstruction and Qi Stagnation.

Cold-Dampness in the Middle Jiao when Dampness predominates.

Cx. Cinnamomi
Rou Gui
Rz. Zingiberis
Gan Jiang

Cx. Cinnamomi
Rou Gui
Sm. Myristicae
Rou Dou Kou
(Rz. Zingiberis)
(Gan Jiang)

Rx. Aucklandiae
Mu Xiang
Fr. Chebulae
He Zi

Cold invasion causing vomiting, pain, cold abdomen, and intense diarrhea.

Chronic diarrhea due to Deficiency Cold.

Chronic diarrhea due to Deficiency and Cold.

Chronic diarrhea due to Deficiency Cold.

Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum
Zhi Ban Xia
(Per. Citri Reticulatae)
(Chen Pi)

(Rz. Zingiberis Recens)
(Sheng Jiang)

Rz. Alpiniae Officinarum
Gao Liang Jiang

Fr. Evodiae
Wu Zhu Yu

Rz. Atractylodes
Cang Zhu
Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po

Cold Phlegm affecting the chest and diaphragm with vomiting.

Cold-Dampness Accumulation in the Middle Jiao.

Middle Jiao Dampness Accumulation.

  1. This herb is similar to Fr. Amomi Sha Ren and Fr. Amomi Kravanh Bai Dou Kou but it has stronger warming and drying properties. It is especially good for treating patterns of Ascendant Damp-Cold in the Spleen and Stomach.
  2. This herb also treats Phlegm-Dampness Obstructing the Lungs causing fullness and a stifling sensation in the chest.
  3. Both Cao Dou Kou and Fr. Amomi Rotundus Bai Dou Kou mobilize the Qi, ease the Stomach, warm the Middle and transform Dampness. Cao Dou Kou does not mobilize the Qi as well nor does it disseminate Lung Qi as effectively but is warmer and better at drying turbid Dampness. It may substitute for Bai Dou Kou.
  4. Katsumada's Galangal Flesh Cao Kou Rou or Kernels Cao Kou Ren is less aromatic.