产于川西松州。其味甘故名。
根味甘。气温平。主治恶气。卒心腹痛满。下气。（开宝）理元气。去气郁。（海藏）芳
香能开脾郁。少入脾胃药中。甚醒脾气。（濒湖）肾虚齿痛。甘松硫黄等分为末。泡汤漱之。
神效。
〔论〕海藏以甘松理元气而去气郁。似不徒芳香擅醒脾之功。阅准绳治溲血方。以桑寄
生为君。熟地茯苓为臣。而兹味逐队为佐。且云此方处剂。乃补夫血之乘虚而妄行者。是兹
味之为元气地。初不外于阳生阴中。藉之斡旋。以俾流行也。岂仅香能醒脾而已哉。
其草冬夏不凋。其子圆大如白牵牛子。其壳白浓。其仁如缩砂仁。
气味香辣辛凉。性大温。味薄气浓。轻清而升。阳也。浮也。入手太阴。亦入足阳明经。
主治胸中冷气。荡散肺中滞气。宽膈进食。治胃冷食即欲吐。除脾虚疟疾呕吐寒热。（能消
能磨。流行三焦。营卫一转。诸证自平。）去白睛翳膜。（白睛翳膜。乃肺气虚寒故耳。若红
膜不宜用。）方书治痞。反胃胀满。积聚呕吐呃逆。心痛胃脘痛。肩背痛痹。消瘅
大便不通。中气中恶。白蔻仁别有清高之气。可理上焦元气而收脱气。能益上焦
清气中之火。开郁结。消食积。除寒退风。佐血药能通润大小肠。使气得周流。血自浸润。
如阳过盛者。用寒凉降之。佐此以掣行周身。则寒凉不滞于中。而邪气自退。正气不损。（陆
养愚）得人参生姜橘皮藿香。治胃虚反胃。及因寒呕吐。得陈夏苓。加生姜白术。治寒痰停
胃。作呕吐似反胃。得陈皮白术蒺藜决明甘菊密蒙花木贼
藿香陈皮木香。理上焦滞气。加乌药香附紫苏。治妇人一切气逆不和。佐参术姜橘。治秋深
疟发。寒多热少。呕吐胃弱。饮食不进。太仓丸。治脾虚反胃。白蔻砂仁各二两。丁香一两。
陈廪米一升。黄土同炒焦。去土。研细。姜汁和丸。梧
〔总论〕白豆蔻 草豆蔻 肉豆蔻 草果。按草实中。凡名豆蔻者三。皆南方所产。其
形色功能。各有同异。而时宜状类。未能历稽。聊各就其气味而区别之。夫天地间惟是水火
二气。为物生之主。寒热者水火之气。若温凉则水火之由渐而盛者。不可不细察也。气之所
附者味。而味之所由生者气。即味以细为酌量。则亦可知其气矣。白豆蔻味辛而绝无苦意。
是专乎金气也。细味之先香辣而散。后微辣而凉。辛而凉者金之气也。（故宜入手太阴）即
香辣转为辛凉。则所谓大温者是。而犹非辛热也。故其的治。入肺而效温冷散滞之用。亦兼
温胃者。胃气上至于肺。肺气即下入于胃也。草豆蔻味先微苦而即辣。后辣中又微有淡甜。
夫苦属火味。是不专乎金也。由火中之金气而有归于土之意。（故宜入阳明胃及太阴脾）则
所谓热者或者。似不止于温也。故其的治。入中土而效祛积寒除胃痛之用。肉豆蔻先苦多于
辣。后辣盛于苦。苦尽带微辣微凉。是始而从火中之金气。终而专金中之肃气。（故宜入手
足阳明）其用更切于大肠。夫以火始。而以金终。则止为辛温。不可谓其辛热也。故其的治。
由中土而大效收令之用。草果之味。极其辛辣而不散。其气猛而臭。近于斑蝥。谓之大辛大
热。又
〔论〕白蔻仁散冷化滞。何以能收脱气。盖此味先香辣而散。而微辣。而凉。夫辛而凉
者金。正合于阳中少阴。由天而渐至于地之气也。使能升散而不能降收。可谓得秋金之气而
入肺乎。故因寒滞气。入此味于温补中。固为正治。即剂合寒热。而亦入此味者。以其能和
寒热之气而无不宜。（其草冬夏不凋故寒热胥宜）且正合于阳中少阴。能升散而即能降收。
或逐队于升散之阳。而阴未尝不存乎其中。或逐队于降收之阴。而阳已先为主于内。推之寒
热并投。而措无不宜。所以谓其补肺气。理脾胃元气。且收脱气也。
凡作呕因于火升。腹痛因于火热者。忌用。（仲淳）
〔修治〕药煎成。方炒研。入一二沸即起。为丸。待诸药细末后。方研入。勿隔宿。
Produced in Songzhou, western Sichuan. It is named for its sweet taste.
The root has a sweet taste and a neutral temperature. It treats foul odors, sudden abdominal pain and fullness, and directs Qi downward. (Kaibao Bencao) It regulates Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and removes Qi stagnation. (Zhang Yuansu/Haizang) The aromatic property can open Spleen depression. When added in small amounts to formulas for the Spleen and Stomach, it greatly awakens Spleen Qi. (Li Shizhen/Binhu) For toothache due to Kidney deficiency, mix equal parts of Gan Song Xiang (Nardostachys Rhizome) and Liu Huang (Sulfur) into powder, soak in decoction and rinse; this is miraculous.
[Discussion] Zhang Yuansu believes that Gan Song Xiang regulates Yuan Qi and removes Qi stagnation, suggesting it does not merely rely on its aromatic property to awaken the Spleen. Reviewing the formula for hematuria (blood in urine) in *Yixue Zhunsheng*, Sang Ji Sheng (Taxilli Herba) is used as the Sovereign herb, with Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) and Fu Ling (Poria) as Ministers, while Gan Song Xiang follows as an Assistant. It is stated that the intent of this prescription is to tonify blood that wanders recklessly due to deficiency. This indicates that Gan Song Xiang, as the foundation of Yuan Qi, initially adheres to the principle of "Yang generating Yin," using it to mediate so that circulation may flow freely. Is it merely about aroma awakening the Spleen?
This herb remains evergreen in winter and summer. Its seeds are round and large, like those of Bai Qian Niu (Convolvulus). The shell is thick and white. The kernel resembles Suo Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus Rotundus).
The odor is spicy, fragrant, acrid, and cool. The nature is greatly warm. The taste is thin but the Qi is dense; it is light, clear, and ascending, belonging to Yang and floating. It enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and also the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. It treats cold Qi in the chest, disperses stagnant Qi in the Lungs, widens the diaphragm to promote appetite, treats vomiting after eating due to Stomach cold, and eliminates vomiting and chills/fevers caused by Spleen deficiency malaria. (It can digest and grind, circulating through the San Jiao; once Ying and Wei circulate, all symptoms subside.) It removes nebulae on the white of the eye. (Nebulae on the white of the eye are due to Lung Qi deficiency and cold. If the membrane is red, it should not be used.) Medical texts treat obstruction syndromes, regurgitation, bloating, accumulation, vomiting, hiccups, heart pain, epigastric pain, shoulder and back bi-syndrome, wasting-thirst with constipation, Qi strike from evil influences. Bai Dou Kou Ren (Cardamomi Fructus) possesses a pure and lofty Qi; it can regulate Upper Jiao Yuan Qi and secure escaping Qi. It benefits the fire within the clear Qi of the Upper Jiao, opens depression and knots, resolves food accumulation, dispels cold and expels wind. When assisting Blood-invigorating herbs, it can unblock and moisten the Large and Small Intestines, allowing Qi to circulate fully and Blood to nourish naturally. If Yang is excessive, use cooling herbs to descend it; assist this herb to pull circulation throughout the body, then the cooling herbs will not stagnate in the middle, pathogenic Qi will recede, and Healthy Qi will not be damaged. (Lu Yangyu) Combined with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Ju Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba), it treats Stomach deficiency regurgitation and vomiting due to cold. Combined with Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Fu Ling (Poria), plus Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), it treats cold-phlegm retained in the Stomach causing vomiting resembling regurgitation. Combined with Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus), Jue Ming Zi (Cassiae Semen), Gan Ju (Chrysanthemi Flos), Mi Meng Hua (Buddlejae Flos), Mu Zei (Equiseti Herba), Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), it regulates stagnant Qi in the Upper Jiao. Add Wu Yao (Linderae Radix), Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma), and Zi Su (Perillae Folium) to treat all cases of Qi reversal and disharmony in women. Assist with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Ju Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) to treat malaria occurring late in autumn, with more chills than fever, vomiting, weak Stomach, and poor appetite. Tai Cang Wan treats Spleen deficiency regurgitation. Bai Dou Kou (Cardamomi Fructus) and Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus) each 2 liang, Ding Xiang (Caryophylli Flos) 1 liang, Chen Bin Mi (Oryza Sativa) 1 sheng, stir-fried together with Yellow Earth until scorched, remove earth, grind finely, mix with Ginger Juice to make pills.
[General Discussion] Bai Dou Kou (Cardamomi Fructus), Cao Dou Kou (Amomi Fructus), Rou Dou Kou (Myristicae Semen), Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fructus). Note: Among fruits, there are three named Dou Kou, all produced in the South. Their appearance, color, and functions have similarities and differences, and their seasonal suitability and morphological similarities have not been thoroughly investigated. Here we distinguish them based on their taste and Qi. In the world, only Water and Fire Qi are the masters of generation. Cold and Heat are the Qi of Water and Fire; Wen (Warmth) and Liang (Coolness) are the gradual intensification of Water and Fire Qi, which must be carefully observed. The Qi attaches to Taste, and Taste arises from Qi. By carefully measuring the Taste, one can know the Qi. Bai Dou Kou tastes Acrid and lacks any Bitterness, thus specializing in Metal Qi. Tasting carefully, it is first spicy-fragrant and dispersing, later slightly acrid and cool. Acrid and cool is the Qi of Metal. (Thus suitable for entering the Hand-Taiyin [Lung]). Turning from spicy-fragrant to acrid-cool, this is what is called "Great Warmth," yet it is not Acrid-Hot. Therefore, its specific efficacy enters the Lung to effect the warming of cold and dispersing of stagnation, and also warms the Stomach. Stomach Qi ascends to the Lung, and Lung Qi descends into the Stomach. Cao Dou Kou tastes slightly Bitter first, then Acrid; later, amidst the Acrid, there is a slight sweet blandness. Bitter belongs to Fire Taste, so it does not specialize in Metal. From the Metal Qi within Fire, there is an intention to return to Earth. (Thus suitable for entering the Yangming Stomach and Taiyin Spleen). Thus, what is called "Hot" might be more than just Warm. Therefore, its specific efficacy enters the Middle Earth to effect the removal of accumulated cold and relief of stomach pain. Rou Dou Kou (Myristicae Semen) is Bitter more than Acrid at first, then Acrid exceeds Bitter; when Bitter ends, it carries slight Acridity and Coolness. It begins following the Metal Qi within Fire and ends specializing in the肃 (Restraining) Qi of Metal. (Thus suitable for entering the Hand and Foot Yangming). Its action is closer to the Large Intestine. Beginning with Fire and ending with Metal, it is merely Acrid-Warm, not Acrid-Hot. Therefore, its specific efficacy, from the Middle Earth, greatly effects the function of Autumn's Restriction. Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fructus) tastes extremely spicy and pungent without dispersing; its Qi is fierce and malodorous, close to Ban Mao (Mylabris), described as Great Acrid and Great Hot, and...
[Discussion] How can Bai Kou Ren disperse cold and resolve stagnation yet secure escaping Qi? This herb is first spicy-fragrant and dispersing, then slightly acrid, then cool. Acrid and cool is Metal, fitting perfectly with "Shao Yin within Yang," the Qi moving from Heaven gradually to Earth. If it could ascend and disperse but not descend and secure, could it be said to obtain the Qi of Autumn Metal and enter the Lung? Therefore, for cold-stagnant Qi, adding this herb to warming-tonifying formulas is indeed the correct treatment. Even in formulas combining Cold and Heat, this herb is included because it can harmonize Cold and Heat Qi without impropriety. (Since the herb remains evergreen, both Cold and Heat are suitable). Moreover, it fits "Shao Yin within Yang," capable of ascending/dispersing and simultaneously descending/securing. Whether following the ascending/dispersing Yang, Yin is never absent within it; or following the descending/securing Yin, Yang is already master within. Extending this, when Cold and Heat are administered together, placement is always appropriate. Hence it is said to tonify Lung Qi, regulate Spleen and Stomach Yuan Qi, and secure escaping Qi.
For vomiting due to Fire rising, or abdominal pain due to Fire-Heat, avoid using. (Zhongchun)
[Processing] After the decoction is prepared, stir-fry and grind. Add to boiling water for one or two boils, then remove. Make into pills. Wait until all other herbs are ground into fine powder, then grind this in. Do not leave overnight.