〔害〕辛窜性燥，血虚火炎者勿用。胎妇多服耗气，必致难产。凡腹痛属火，泄泻得之
暑热
；胎动由于血热；滞下由于湿热；上气咳逆，由于火冲迫肺，而不由于寒气所滞；皆须详察
鉴别。误则有损无益，宜慎之。
〔利〕芳香归脾，辛能润肾，下气化食，治心疼欲呕，开脾胃要药，和中气正品。若肾
气不
归元，非此向导不济，胎喜疏利，故主之。阳春砂仁，即缩砂仁，其性同，而长于开胃。砂
仁壳力缓。
〔修治〕出岭南，七八月采，炒去衣，研入药。
〔害〕辛热燥烈，流行三焦，凡呕吐不因于寒及阳虚者，皆不得入。如火升作呕，因热
腹痛
气虚诸症，法咸忌用。
〔利〕辛温，入脾胃，通温三焦，宽中气滞，温中除吐逆，开胃消饮食，治疟症，除目
翳。
蔻壳力稍逊。
〔修治〕番舶来者良，去衣微焙研细用。
甘平，得天地中和之气，平和五脏，补益气血，除烦清热，利便止渴，是无害于病症。
惟患
霍乱之后，忌粥及米饭。有早中晚者，得金气，多性凉，尤能清热。
北粳凉，南粳温，赤粳热，白粳凉，新粳热，陈粳凉， 糯温，陈廪平。
除霍乱症外，余皆有益于人，而无损也。
[Adverse Effects] Its pungent and dispersing nature is drying; it should not be used by those with blood deficiency and flaming fire. Excessive consumption by pregnant women depletes Qi, inevitably leading to difficult labor. Whenever abdominal pain is due to Fire, diarrhea results from Summerheat; fetal restlessness is due to Blood heat; dysentery is caused by Damp-Heat; upward rushing of Qi with cough and reverse flow is due to Fire harassing the Lung, not due to Cold stagnation; all these conditions require careful differentiation. Misuse causes harm without benefit, so caution is advised.
[Efficacy] Its aromatic quality enters the Spleen, and its Pungency can moisten the Kidney. It directs Qi downward and aids digestion. It is a key herb for treating heart-stomach pain and nausea, and a principal agent for harmonizing the Middle Jiao. If Kidney Qi fails to return to its root, this guiding herb is necessary for efficacy. The fetus favors free flow and unblocking, hence it is used to calm the fetus. Yangchun Amomi Fructus (Spring Cardamom) is the same as Suo Amomi Fructus (Constricted Cardamom); their properties are identical, but Yangchun is superior in opening the stomach. Amomi Pericarpium (Cardamom Husk) has a milder effect.
[Preparation] Originates from Lingnan. Harvested in the seventh and eighth lunar months. Stir-fried to remove the husk, then ground for medicinal use.
[Adverse Effects] Sha Ren (White Cardamom) is Pungent, Hot, and drying, circulating through the Three Jiaos. It must not be used for vomiting not caused by Cold or Yang Deficiency. Vomiting due to rising Fire, abdominal pain due to Heat, and various symptoms of Qi Deficiency are all contraindicated according to principles.
[Efficacy] Sha Ren is Pungent and Warm, entering the Stomach and Spleen channels. It unblocks and warms the Three Jiaos, relieves Middle Jiao Qi stagnation, warms the Middle to stop vomiting and reverse flow, opens the stomach, and promotes digestion. It treats Malaria and removes eye nebulae (pterygium). Sha Ren Pericarpium (Cardamom Husk) is slightly less potent.
[Preparation] Those imported via foreign ships are of good quality. Remove the husk, lightly roast, and grind into fine powder for use.
Japonica Oryzae Semen (Glutinous Rice) is Sweet and Neutral, possessing the harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth. It harmonizes the Five Zang Organs, tonifies Qi and Blood, clears irritability and Heat, promotes urination, and stops thirst. It does no harm to pathological conditions. However, after suffering from Cholera-like disease (Huoluan), porridge and rice should be avoided. There are early, middle, and late varieties; those receiving more Metal Qi tend to be Cooling and are especially effective at clearing Heat. Northern Japonica Oryzae Semen is Cooling, Southern is Warming, Red is Hot, White is Cooling, New is Hot, Aged is Cooling, Glutinous is Warming, and Aged Glutinous is Neutral. Except for Cholera-like disease, it benefits everyone else without causing harm.
Coeli Fermentata (Sprouted Millet) is Sweet and Warm, promoting digestion with effects similar to Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus), but without damaging Yuan Qi. It is particularly strong in warming the Middle, serving as a key herb for digesting food, strengthening the Spleen, opening the stomach, and harmonizing the Middle Jiao. Raw Coeli Fermentata is especially good at opening the stomach.