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Cardamom Seed ( 砂仁 ) ...Chinese Herb...
 Latin
Plant Name
Amomi Fructus seu Semen
Pinyin
Mandarin Name
Sha Ren
Common
English Name
Cardamom Seed
Part
of Plant Used
Fruit
Nature
Warm
Taste
Acrid, aromatic
Meridians
Entered
Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys
Common
Usages
This herb is used in formulas to treat stomach disorders, including stagnant
or obstructed food in the stomach (TCM: stagnant Qi; dampness obstruction);
vomiting and diarrhea (TCM: internal cold and damp); and to reduce uterine
contractions in the event of threatened miscarriage.
Traditional
Usages and Functions
Moves Qi and strengthens Stomach; promotes movement of food; transforms
dampness and stops vomiting; calms the fetus.
Common
Formulas Used In
Bupleurum, inula, and Cyperus; Ginseng and Atractylodes; Hoelen and Polyporus
Processing
Required
-
Remarks
Because if cardamom's effectiveness in moving food through the digestive
tract, it is used in formulas that have a strong tonic action to balance
those formulas' tendencies to be damp in nature, a factor that may lead to
stagnation.
Cardamom is added last when preparing raw herbs for drinking, since its
aromatic qualities dissipate with long boiling.
Cautions
in Use
Do not use this herb when there is a stong Yin deficiency or heat signs
caused by Yin deficiency
Leave Cardamom Seed
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