宣，行气，暖胃
辛热。流行三焦，温暖脾胃（三焦利，脾胃运，则诸证自平矣）而为肺家本药（肺主气）。
散滞气，消酒积，除寒燥湿，化食宽膨。
治脾虚疟疾，感寒腹痛，吐逆反胃（肺胃火盛及气虚者禁用），白睛翳膜（白睛属肺，
能散肺滞），太阳经目 红筋（太阳脉起目 ）。
番舶者良，研细用。
一名肉果
燥脾，涩肠
辛温气香。理脾暖胃，下气调中，逐冷祛痰，消食解酒。
治积冷心腹胀痛（挟痰、挟食者并宜之），中恶吐沫，小儿吐逆，乳食不下。又能涩大
肠，止虚泻冷痢（初起忌用）。
出岭南。似草蔻，外有皱纹，内有斑纹。糯米粉裹，煨熟用。忌铁。
一名草果
燥湿祛痰，除痰截疟
辛热香散。暖胃健脾，破气开郁，燥湿祛寒，除痰化食。
治瘴疠寒疟（佐常山能截疟。或与知母同用，取其一阴一阳，治寒热瘴疟。盖草果治太
阴独胜之寒，知母治阳明独胜之火），寒客胃痛（散滞气，利膈痰，因滞因寒者多效），霍乱
泻痢，噎膈反胃，痞满吐酸，痰饮积聚。解口臭气、酒毒、鱼肉毒（故食料用之）。过剂助
脾热，耗气损目。
闽产名草蔻，如龙眼而微长，皮黄白、薄而棱峭，仁如砂仁，而辛香气和。滇广所产名
草果，如诃子，皮黑、浓而棱密，子粗而辛臭，虽是一物，微有不同。面裹，煨熟，取仁用
。忌铁。
[White Cardamom]
Efficacy: Promotes diffusion, moves Qi, warms the Stomach.
Nature and Flavor: Pungent, Hot.
Meridian Tropism and Actions: Circulates through the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), warms and benefits the Spleen and Stomach (when the Sanjiao is unobstructed and the Spleen and Stomach transform and transport effectively, various symptoms will resolve spontaneously); thus it is a primary herb for the Lung organ (as the Lung governs Qi).
Functions: Disperses stagnant Qi, eliminates alcohol accumulation, removes cold and dries dampness, transforms food stagnation, and relieves abdominal distension.
Indications: Treats malaria due to Spleen deficiency, abdominal pain caused by Cold invasion, vomiting, regurgitation, and reverse flow of Qi (contraindicated in cases of excessive Fire in the Lung and Stomach, or Qi deficiency); treats pterygium on the sclera (the sclera belongs to the Lung; this herb can disperse Lung stagnation); treats red blood vessels in the eyes along the Taiyang channel (the Taiyang meridian originates from the eye).
Usage: Those imported via foreign ships are of superior quality; grind into fine powder before use.
[Nutmeg]
Alias: Rouguo (Meat Fruit)
Efficacy: Dries the Spleen, binds the Intestines.
Nature and Flavor: Pungent, Warm, aromatic.
Functions: Regulates the Spleen, warms the Stomach, directs Qi downward and harmonizes the Middle Jiao, expels cold and dispels phlegm, aids digestion, and resolves alcohol toxicity.
Indications: Treats abdominal and chest fullness/pain due to accumulated cold (suitable even when complicated by phlegm or food stagnation); treats sudden evil qi causing foaming vomit, infantile vomiting and regurgitation, and inability to digest milk and food. It also astringes the Large Intestine, stopping chronic diarrhea and cold dysentery (contraindicated in the early stage of acute onset).
Origin and Characteristics: Produced in the Lingnan region. Resembles Kaempferia galanga externally with wrinkles, and internally with mottled patterns. Wrap in glutinous rice flour, roast until cooked, then use. Avoid contact with iron.
[Grass Cardamom / Tsaoko]
Alias: Caoguo (Tsaoko)
Efficacy: Dries dampness, dispels phlegm, arrests malaria.
Nature and Flavor: Pungent, Hot, aromatic and dispersing.
Functions: Warms the Stomach, strengthens the Spleen, breaks Qi stagnation and opens depression, dries dampness and expels cold, eliminates phlegm, and transforms food stagnation.
Indications: Treats miasma-induced cold malaria (when combined with Dichroa Root [Chanshan], it can arrest malaria; alternatively used with Anemarrhena Rhizome [Zhimu], utilizing their Yin-Yang properties to treat alternating chills and fever in malarial syndromes. This is because Tsaoko addresses Cold dominating the Taiyin, while Anemarrhena addresses Fire dominating the Yangming); treats stomach pain caused by Cold pathogen invading the Stomach (effective for conditions due to stagnation and cold, as it disperses stagnant Qi and benefits diaphragmatic phlegm); treats cholera-like disorder, diarrhea, and dysentery; treats dysphagia, regurgitation, epigastric fullness, and acid reflux; treats phlegm-fluid retention and accumulation. Resolves bad breath, alcohol toxicity, and fish/meat poisoning (thus used in culinary seasonings). Overdose may assist Spleen Heat, deplete Qi, and damage vision.
Origin and Identification: Produced in Fujian, known as "Caokou," resembling a longan fruit but slightly longer, with thin yellowish-white skin and sharp ridges; the kernel resembles Amomum kravanh [Sharen] but has a milder pungent aroma. Produced in Yunnan and Guangdong, known as "Caoguo," resembling Terminalia chebula [Hezi], with thick black skin and dense ridges; the seed is coarse and has a pungent, foul odor. Although they are essentially the same category, there are slight differences. Wrap in flour, roast until cooked, extract the kernel for use. Avoid contact with iron.