Katsumadai seed (Caodoukou)-Alpinia katsumadai

Katsumadai seed (Caodoukou)

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Alpiniae katsumadai

Botanical Name: Alpinia katsumadai Hayata

Common Name: Katsumadai seed

Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The yellow fruit is gathered in summer or autumn and dried in the sun. The seeds are smashed after the flesh of the fruit has been peeled off.

Properties & Taste: Pungent and warm

Meridians: Spleen and stomach.

Functions: 1. To dry dampness and warm the spleen and stomach; 2. To promote qi circulation

Indications & Combinations: Cold-damp blocking and stagnating spleen and stomach manifested as epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness, cold pain, vomiting and diarrhea. In cases of excessive dampness, Katsumadai seed (Caodoukou) is used with Magnolia bark (Houpo), Atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu) and Pinellia tuber (Banxia). In cases of excessive cold, Katsumadai seed (Caodoukou) is used with Cinnamon bark (Rougui) and Dried ginger (Ganjiang).

Dosage: 3-6 g

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Kansui root (Gansui)-Euphorbia kansui

Kansui root (Gansui)

Pharmaceutical Name: Radix kansui

Botanical Name: Euphorbia kansui T. N. Liou ex T. P. Wang

Common Name: Kansui root

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The tuberous root is dug in late autumn or early spring. The root bark is peeled off, and the root is dried in the sun. Then it is soaked in vinegar.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, sweet, cold and toxic

Meridians: Lung, kidney and large intestine

Functions: 1. To transform water and reduce edema; 2. To disperse nodules and relieve swelling

Indications & Combinations:

1. Edema and full sensation in abdominal region. Kansui root (Gansui) is used with Pharbitis seed (Qianniuzi) in the formula Erqi Tang.

2. Ascites. Kansui root (Gansui) is used with Peking spurge root (Daji) and Genkwa flower (Yuanhua) in the formula Shizao Tang.

3. Retention of water or fluid in the chest. Kansui root (Gansui) is used with Rhubarb (Dahuang) and Glauber's salt (Mangxiao) in the formula Da Xianxiong Tang.

4. Boils, carbuncles and furuncles. Kansui root (Gansui) is ground into powder and mixed with water for external application.

Dosage: 0.5-1 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is best used in pill and powder form. It should not be used with the herb Licorice root (Gancao) and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

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