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White Cardamom (Baidoukou)
Nature is hot and pungent, aroma is fragrant. Enters the Lung meridian to disseminate pathogenic factors and break qi stagnation. Flavor is pungent and texture is drying; promotes qi movement in the Stomach to stop vomiting and dispel cold. (White Cardamom is pungent and hot, with a fragrant aroma and white color. It enters the Lung meridian to regulate all types of cold coagulation and qi stagnation in the Upper Jiao, thus also entering the Stomach fu-organ to scatter rebellious qi. For conditions such as vomiting and hiccups caused by cold stagnation, it can be used. However, substances that are pungent, hot, aromatic, and drying should not be administered indiscriminately to patients with yin deficiency and excessive fire.)

Greater Galangal Seed (Caodoukou)
Its nature and flavor are more fierce than White Cardamom. Its aromatic property is particularly suitable for the Middle Earth (Spleen and Stomach). It warms the Stomach and middle jiao, treating cold pain in the heart and abdomen; it unblocks the chest and benefits the diaphragm, treating disorders of vomiting. It can also dry dampness and strengthen the Spleen, changing the stomach to eliminate stale and corrupt matter. It simultaneously resolves stagnant phlegm and meat toxicity, hence its fragrance when used to harmonize soups or food. (Greater Galangal Seed is produced in Fujian Province. Its shape resembles longan fruit, with pale yellow and thin skin. The kernel resembles Amomum villosum (Sharen), with a pleasant and mild aromatic fragrance, slightly sweet in taste. Its nature is hot, specifically entering the Spleen and Stomach. Therefore, its functions are similar to White Cardamom, but differ in treating the upper versus middle jiao. Nevertheless, it belongs to the category of pungent, aromatic, and drying-aggressive substances, so those with insufficient yin should avoid it.)

Nutmeg Fruit (Caoguo)
Treats the cold excess of the Taiyin (Spleen) alone. Pungent and warm, enters the Stomach; breaks up accumulations of miasma and malaria pathogens. Rigid and vigorous in unblocking the middle, with a drying texture and majestic aura; flavors are often turbid and foul. It benefits phlegm and resolves stagnation, though its nature may cause vertigo or dizziness (mingxuan). (Nutmeg Fruit is produced in Yunnan and Guangdong. Its shape resembles Terminalia chebula (Hezi), with thick black skin and large kernels. Its aroma is pungent, fierce, and unpleasant. Its nature is hot. Although its entry and usage are similar to Greater Galangal Seed, its rigid, fierce, and turbid qi is different. Thus, it can break up miasma qi, stimulate cold in the Spleen and Stomach, intercept malaria, and remove phlegm, serving as a drastic medicine to seize the pathogen. However, when taken by deficient persons, it often induces vomiting.)

Nutmeg (Roudoukou)
Flavor is bitter and pungent; warms the middle and scatters rebellion. Texture is originally aromatic and drying; enters the Stomach to eliminate pathogenic factors, drives out cold stagnation to descend qi and move phlegm, which is favored by the Spleen. Treats deficiency-cold and thickens the intestines to stop diarrhea; particularly suitable for the Kidney. (Nutmeg resembles Greater Galangal Seed in shape, but has thick flesh and wrinkled skin, with mottled patterns inside resembling Areca catechu (Binglang). Flavor is bitter and pungent, nature is warm and non-toxic. It can enter the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians to guide and unblock all types of cold stagnation. When roasted, it can solidify the Large Intestine and stop diarrhea and dysentery. However, it is contraindicated for those with fire pathogens. As for calming vomiting and descending phlegm qi, these are also appropriate applications.)