辛涩温，无毒。面裹煨熟，去面用。
发明 草豆蔻性温，入脾胃二经。东垣曰∶风寒客邪在胃口之上，当心疼痛者宜之。丹
溪曰∶草豆蔻性温，能散滞气。若明知口食寒物胃脘作痛，或湿郁成病者用之神效。若热郁
者不可用，恐积温成热也。然多用能助脾热，伤肺损目。故阴虚血燥者忌之。
亦名豆蔻
辛温涩，无毒。去壳，生用。
发明 草果与草豆蔻总是一类，其草果治病，取其辛热浮散，能入太阴、阳明，除寒燥
湿，开郁化食，利膈上痰，解面食鱼肉诸毒。与知母同用，治瘴疟寒热，取其一阴一阳，无
偏胜之害。盖草果治太阴独胜之寒，知母治阳明独胜之火也。然疟亦有不由于山岚瘴气，而
实邪不盛者忌服。凡湿热瘀滞，伤暑暴注，溲赤口干者禁用。
俗名壳蔻
辛温，无毒。忌见火，去净膈膜，不尔令人膈满。凡草果、草豆
蔻、缩砂皆然，不独白蔻也。
发明 白豆蔻辛香上升，入脾肺二经，散肺中滞气。治脾虚疟疾，呕吐寒热，能消能磨
，流行三焦，营卫一转，诸证自平。古方治胃冷积气，呕逆反胃，消谷下气，宽膈进食，解
酒毒，皆相宜也。若火升作呕，蕴热作痛者勿服。
俗名砂仁
辛温涩，无毒。
发明 缩砂属土，醒脾调胃，为脾、胃、肺、肾、大小肠、膀胱七经之气药，能引诸
药归宿丹田。治脾虚泄泻，宿食不消，泻痢白沫，腹中虚痛，寒饮胀痞，噎膈呕吐，和中行
气，止痛安胎，用之悉效。同熟地、茯苓纳气归肾。同檀香、豆蔻下气安肺。得陈皮、白术
和气益脾。惟新产妇忌之，恐气骤行动血也。今人治血痢亦多用之。若积欲尽时，良非所宜
。又血虚火炎咳嗽禁用。妊妇气滞者宜服。若气虚者，多服反耗其气，多致难产。南人性喜
条畅，食品每多用之，北人性喜潜藏，药中亦罕用者。
[Cao Dou Kou] (Grass Cardamom)
Pungent, astringent, warm, non-toxic. Wrap in flour and roast until cooked, remove the flour before use.
Invention: Cao Dou Kou has a warm nature and enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Li Dongyuan stated: It is suitable for cases where wind-cold pathogenic factors invade above the stomach opening, causing pain in the heart region. Zhu Danxi stated: Cao Dou Kou has a warm nature and can disperse stagnant Qi. If it is known that pain in the epigastrium was caused by consuming cold foods, or if illness arises from dampness stagnation, its use yields miraculous effects. However, it should not be used for heat stagnation, as prolonged accumulation of warmth may generate heat. Moreover, excessive use can assist Spleen heat, damaging the Lungs and eyes. Therefore, those with Yin deficiency and dry blood should avoid it.
[Suo Sha Mi] (White Cardamom)
Also known as Dou Kou.
Pungent, warm, astringent, non-toxic. Remove the shell and use raw.
Invention: Cao Guo (Tsaoko) and Cao Dou Kou belong to the same category. In treating diseases, Cao Guo utilizes its pungent, hot, floating, and dispersing properties to enter the Taiyin and Yangming meridians, dispelling cold and drying dampness, opening stagnation and transforming food retention, benefiting phlegm in the upper diaphragm, and resolving various toxins from noodles, fish, and meat. When used together with Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), it treats malaria chills and fever arising from miasma, taking advantage of their yin-yang balance to prevent excess bias. This is because Cao Guo specifically treats cold dominance in the Taiyin, while Zhimu treats fire dominance in the Yangming. However, malaria not caused by mountain miasma and with weak pathogenic factors is contraindicated. It is strictly prohibited for those with damp-heat stasis, acute diarrhea due to summerheat injury, dark urine, and dry mouth.
[Ke Kou] (Shell Cardamom / White Cardamom)
Commonly known as Ke Kou.
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Avoid exposure to fire; thoroughly remove the septum, otherwise it causes diaphragmatic fullness. This applies to Cao Guo, Cao Dou Kou, and Suo Sha Ren alike, not just Bai Kou.
Invention: Bai Dou Kou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) is pungent, aromatic, and ascending, entering the Spleen and Lung meridians to disperse stagnant Qi in the Lungs. It treats malaria due to Spleen deficiency, vomiting with chills and fever, possessing digestive and grinding capabilities. It circulates through the Sanjiao, allowing Ying and Wei Qi to rotate, thereby resolving various symptoms. Ancient formulas suitable for treating cold accumulation in the Stomach, vomiting and regurgitation, promoting digestion and descending Qi, widening the diaphragm to promote eating, and resolving alcohol toxicity all find it appropriate. However, it should not be taken for vomiting caused by rising fire or pain due to accumulated heat.
[Suo Sha Ren] (Cardamom Seed)
Commonly known as Sha Ren.
Pungent, warm, astringent, non-toxic.
Invention: Suo Sha Ren belongs to Earth, awakening the Spleen and regulating the Stomach. It is a Qi medicine for the Spleen, Stomach, Lungs, Kidneys, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, and Bladder meridians, capable of guiding other herbs to return to the Dantian. It treats Spleen deficiency diarrhea, undigested food retention, dysentery with white mucus, empty pain in the abdomen, bloating and distension due to cold fluids, dysphagia, and vomiting. It harmonizes the middle, promotes Qi movement, stops pain, and calms the fetus, proving effective in all these applications. Combined with Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) and Fu Ling (Poria), it guides Qi back to the Kidneys. Combined with Tan Xiang (Santalum Album) and Dou Kou, it descends Qi and calms the Lungs. With Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), it harmonizes Qi and benefits the Spleen. It is contraindicated for postpartum women, as its sudden Qi movement may disturb blood. Currently, it is also widely used to treat bloody dysentery. However, when stagnation is nearly exhausted, it is indeed unsuitable. Furthermore, it is contraindicated for coughs due to Blood deficiency and flaming fire. Pregnant women with Qi stagnation are suitable for its use. However, for those with Qi deficiency, excessive use consumes Qi and may lead to difficult labor. Southerners prefer smooth flow and often use it in food; Northerners prefer concealment and rarely use it in medicines.