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Nutmeg (Myristicae Semen)
Taste: Bitter, Pungent. Nature: Warm. Non-toxic. Grows abundantly in Hu regions (foreign lands), also produced in Lingnan. Also known as Rouguo (Flesh Fruit), shaped like a musket ball. Those with abundant oil and plump flesh are of good quality; they should be wrapped in bread and roasted before use. Its meridian tropism is limited to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. It treats distension and pain in the heart and abdomen, and can stop sudden onset of Huoluan (Cholera-like disease); it warms Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold, aiding digestion of retained food. It is effective for blood dysentery caused by summerheat injury in men and women, and produces immediate results for vomiting and diarrhea due to milk injury in infants. For dysentery, take with white rice gruel; for vomiting and diarrhea, take with ginger decoction.

Cardamom (Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen / White Cardamom)
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Greatly Warm. Taste is light, Qi is dense, belonging to Yang. Non-toxic. Originally from foreign countries, now cultivated in Liangguang. The plant resembles the banana tree and grows tallest; leaves resemble Duruo (Asarum) and do not fall off. Flowers are pale yellow, fruits grow in clusters. Green when raw, white when ripe, harvested in the seventh lunar month. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, possessing a pure and lofty Qi. It disperses cold stagnation in the chest, benefits the primal Yang above the diaphragm. Warms the Spleen Earth to relieve pain, removes eye nebula and cataracts. Stops regurgitation and vomiting, eliminates bloating from accumulated food.

Grass Cardamom (Kaempferiae Galangal Rhizome / Aromatic Tuberous Ginger)
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Belonging to Yang. Non-toxic. Grows abundantly in Jiaozhi (an ancient country name), also found in Lingnan. The stem resembles Duruo, the root resembles Gaoliangjiang (Galangal). Flowers form spikes; tender leaves roll up as they grow, leaves gradually unfurl, flowers emerge gradually, resembling pale red Hibiscus flowers; fruits form buds, hardening into shells and ripening in autumn. Only in autumn does it become old, and only then do the shells turn yellow, resembling Longyan (Longan) but slightly sharper. The outer skin has ridges (like Gardenia), without scales or armor; inner seeds are connected (reddish, resembling multiple grains of White Cardamom). Very pungent and fragrant. Harvest according to season, sun-dry and store. In prescriptions, peel the shell and use the seed. Its meridian tropism is only the Stomach and Spleen. Removes cold below the diaphragm, stops vomiting and regurgitation from Huoluan; drives away pain above the navel, expels evil influences from Ke Wu (sudden fright/evil spirits). Dissolves all alcohol toxins, immediately resolves bad breath.
(Chen Jiamo) Commentary: When treating cold pain in the Zhongwan (Middle Jiao) area with Cao Doukou, few truly understand its application. Market vendors often substitute it with inferior herbs, how can one expect miraculous effects? Consulting the *Tu Jing* (Illustrated Classic), which clearly describes its shape and color, allows subsequent physicians to recognize it at a glance. This not only ensures efficacy for patients but also prevents physicians from being deceived by sellers.