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[Harm] The aroma is dry and leans towards Yang. It is unsuitable for those with pre-existing heat-fire in the Large Intestine, acute watery diarrhea due to summer-heat, intestinal wind with blood in stool, toothache due to stomach fire, warm diseases with food stagnation (accumulation of undigested food), when the pathogenic factor is at its peak, or during the initial stage of dysentery and diarrhea. Excessive consumption will deplete Qi.

[Efficacy] Pungent and warm; enters the Lung, Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Its primary function is to warm the Middle Jiao and it can also direct Qi downward. When the Spleen is benefited and transport functions well, Qi naturally descends. It can also astringe the Large Intestine to stop deficiency-type cold diarrhea and cold dysentery.

[Processing] Harvested in the sixth and seventh lunar months; produced in Lingnan. It resembles Cao Dou Kou (Grass Cardamom) with wrinkled exterior and mottled interior. It is wrapped in glutinous rice flour or baked in dough until cooked. The oil must be completely removed. Iron utensils are contraindicated.

[Harm] Pungent, hot, and Qi-dispersing. It is strictly contraindicated if malaria is not caused by mountainous miasma, or if the patient has deficient Qi and weak pathogens. Market physicians who fail to examine the disease origin often use it to arrest phlegm-malaria, resulting in cases of Qi-deficiency abdominal distension, which are common.

[Efficacy] Pungent and warm; enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It breaks through miasma-induced malaria and eliminates errors caused by phlegm and food retention. Its action is fierce and turbid; therefore, caution is advised in its use.

[Processing] Resembles He Zi (Chebula Fruit), with thick black skin and dense ridges. The seed is coarse with a pungent odor. It is wrapped in dough, baked until cooked, and the kernel is used. Iron utensils are contraindicated.

[Harm] Pungent and dry, it damages Blood; those with Yin deficiency should avoid it. It is contraindicated by rule in cases where malaria is not caused by miasma, heart/stomach pain is due to Fire rather than Cold, and sudden violent diarrhea with thirst is due to Summer-heat and Damp-Heat.

[Efficacy] Pungent and warm; enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. It disperses Cold and stops heart/abdominal pain, directs Qi downward to drive away rebellion and fullness, opens the appetite, and regulates Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome) with vomiting and diarrhea. It attacks hardness and breaks Yi Ge (dysphagia) and Zheng Jia (masses). Pungency breaks stagnation, fragrance reaches the Spleen, and warmth disperses Cold.

[Processing] Resembles Long Yan (Longan) but slightly longer, with thin yellow-white skin and sharp ridges. The kernel is pungent and fragrant with a mild nature; remove the membrane and stir-fry lightly before use. Produced in Yunnan and Guangdong, it is called Cao Guo (Tsaiko); produced in Fujian, it is called Cao Dou Kou (Grass Cardamom). Their aromas differ, and so do their functions.

[Harm] Pungent, warm, and drying/acrid. It is contraindicated for those with dry constipation or excessive sweating. Other contraindications are the same as for Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome).

[Efficacy] Bitter, pungent, and warm; enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It dries Dampness, eliminates Phlegm, induces sweating to resolve depression, removes mountainous miasma, and dispels disasters and evil diseases.

[Processing] Produced in Maoshan; those that are hard, small, and have cinnabar spots are superior. Soak in glutinous rice wash water, bake dry, and stir-fry with sesame seeds to restrain its dryness. Ben Cao Jing did not distinguish between Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu. Tao Hongjing separated them for different applications.