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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Aromatic Dampness-Transforming, Qi-Moving & Antiemetic Monarch (芳香化湿 / 温中行气开胃消食降逆止呕理气解郁解酒毒 — 传统南洋与历代温中化湿第一白豆蔻 / 三仁汤核心君药 / 湿阻中焦与反胃呕吐药王 / 姜科大芳香纯阳圣药)

    爪哇白豆蔻 / 印度尼西亚白蔻 / 白豆蔻 / 原豆蔻 / 圆豆蔻 / 扣砂 — Amomum compactum Sol. ex Maton (syn. Amomum cardamomum, Amomum kepulaga)

    Pinyin: Zhǎowā Báilùkòu / Báikòu / Yuándòukòu · Malay: Kapulaga Jawa / Pelaga / Kapulaga / Puah Keling / Round Cardamom · Family: Zingiberaceae (姜科 / 豆蔻属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Warm (温 / 辛温芳香)

    Flavor

    Intensely pungent, camphoraceous-aromatic, biting, sweetish (大辛、微甘、大温、芳香烈烈、清香纯阳)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃)

    Traditional Edict

    Java Cardamom / Round White Cardamom (Kapulaga Jawa / Bai Dou Kou / Yuan Dou Kou). Plump spherical 3-lobed creamy-white capsules. Undisputed Sovereign for Transforming Dampness (San Ren Tang): transforms turbid Spleen dampness, opens chest fullness, terminates vomiting, cures hangovers.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • MANDATORY SHORT-BOILING (Hou Xia; boiling >10 min destroys volatile cineole). CONTRAINDICATED in severe Yin-deficiency internal heat with dry mouth and red tongue lacking coat.

    Clinical Applications

    • Functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis (accelerating gastric emptying and motilin release via 1,8-Cineole), chemotherapy and pregnancy nausea/vomiting, alcohol gastric injury, and damp-heat lethargy.

    Quality Markers

    1,8-Cineole (桉油精) >= 40.0%-55.0%, a-Terpinyl Acetate >= 15.0% & Essential Oil >= 4.50%-7.00% (HPLC/GC-MS standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. 1,8-Cineole and a-terpinyl acetate stimulate enteric cholinergic transmission, accelerating gastric emptying (>45%). 2. Blocks 5-HT3 and D2 emetic receptors to stop vomiting. 3. Anti-ulcer.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CRITICAL PAOZHI MANDATE: SHORT-BOIL AT END OF DECOCTION (Hou Xia 5-10 Min): Crush whole capsule lightly; add during the final 5 to 10 min of boiling only (NEVER boil >10 min). Take 3 to 6 g. CLASSICAL SAN REN TANG: 6 g Bai Dou Kou (added last) with Xing Ren and Yi Yi Ren.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical San Ren Tang (Master Damp-Warmth Formula) with Prunus armeniaca (Xing Ren) and Coix lacryma-jobi. 2. Morning Sickness & Emesis Draught with Sheng Jiang and Chen Pi.

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    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only