Fruits and seedsDampness-transformingAmomi Fructus Rotundus

Bai Dou Kou (Round Cardamom)

A practical guide to Bai Dou Kou: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin NameAmomi Fructus Rotundus
Chinese Name & Pinyin 白豆蔻 · Bai Dou Kou
Medicinal PartFruits and seeds
The herbBai Dou Kou is the dried fruit of Amomum kravanh or A. compactum. Add it near the end. Sha Ren and Cao Dou Kou are different official drugs.
Nature and channelsAcrid, warm. Enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach. Acridity moves qi. Warmth transforms dampness and stops vomiting. Aroma arouses the appetite.
Pharmacopoeia lineTransforms dampness and moves qi. Warms the middle and stops vomiting. Arouses the appetite and disperses food. Used for turbid dampness blocking the middle, no appetite, early damp-warmth, chest tightness and no hunger, cold-damp vomiting, chest and abdominal distending pain, and food accumulation that will not disperse.
Pattern cuesChest tightness and no hunger. Turbid damp distending pain. Cold-damp vomiting. Greasy coating.
In this articleBai Dou Kou versus Sha Ren, Cao Dou Kou, and Cao Guo. Why it is added near the end. Why yin deficiency should not be dried. Who should skip it.

What Is Bai Dou Kou?

Bai Dou Kou (白豆蔻; Bái Dòu Kòu; Latin: Amomi Fructus Rotundus; English: round cardamom) is the dried ripe fruit of Amomum kravanh Pierre ex Gagnep. or Amomum compactum Soland ex Maton. In Chinese medicine it is a dampness-transforming herb. It is acrid and warm, enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach channels, and its core actions are to transform dampness and move qi, warm the middle and stop vomiting, and arouse the appetite and disperse food. In a decoction it should be added near the end. Long boiling scatters the aroma. It is not Sha Ren. Villous amomum is acrid-warm. It transforms dampness, moves qi, warms the middle, stops diarrhea, and calms the fetus. It travels the middle and lower. Bai Dou Kou is aromatic. It leans toward venting the upper, easing the chest, transforming turbid dampness, and stopping vomiting. It is not Cao Dou Kou. Katsumadai more fiercely dries dampness and warms the middle. Green cardamom (Elettaria) does not convert to this piece. Yin deficiency with blood dryness, and no dampness, are a poor match.

It is used most often for three patterns:

  • Turbid dampness blocking the middle — no appetite, distending abdominal pain
  • Early damp-warmth — chest tightness, no hunger
  • Cold-damp vomiting — food accumulation that will not disperse

The usual decoction dose is 3–6 g, added near the end. Acrid-warm and aromatic-dry, it is not a daily “bloating cardamom tea.” Drying when there is no dampness injures fluids.

When turbid dampness encumbers the spleen, or cold-damp rebels upward, chest tightness, no hunger, and vomiting are common. Bai Dou Kou is acrid-warm. It transforms, moves, and stops vomiting, which is why it appears in damp-warmth and cold-damp vomiting formulas. It is more aromatic-dry than it is moistening. A dry red tongue and constipation get drier if more is added.

Bai Dou Kou is not a catch-all dampness or appetite fruit. In yin deficiency with blood dryness, or when there is no dampness, using it alone can aromatic-dry and injure fluids. Whether it belongs in a formula should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Bai Dou Kou Round Cardamom

Bai Dou Kou: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Amomi Fructus Rotundus

Botanical Origin

The dried ripe fruit of Amomum kravanh Pierre ex Gagnep. or Amomum compactum Soland. ex Maton (Zingiberaceae).

Production Regions

Imported from Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia; also cultivated in Yunnan and Hainan.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is large, whitish, intensely aromatic, and full of seeds.

Macroscopic Features

Subglobose fruit, 1.2~1.8cm diameter, whitish to yellowish-white, three-valved; seeds dark brown, intensely aromatic.

Authentic Regions and Quality Identification

  • Growing Regions: Traditionally, Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam are highly regarded for producing this herb. It is also cultivated in southern Chinese provinces like Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi.
  • Spotting Good Quality: High-quality Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) is round, about 1.2 to 1.8 cm in diameter, with three deep vertical grooves. Inside, you will find multiple oily seeds. It has a spicy, cool, camphor-like aroma.
  • Raw vs. Stir-fried: The raw form has a stronger scent and is better at resolving dampness and moving Qi. The stir-fried version is crispier, milder in scent, and leans more toward warming the stomach and stopping nausea.
  • Common Confusions: It is often confused with Cao Dou Kou (Katsumada's Galangal Seed), which is larger, much more drying, and lacks the cool, refreshing aroma of true white cardamom.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Acrid; WarmLungSpleenStomach

1. Historical Records

  • Ming Yi Bie Lu: First recorded its ability to warm the center, stop vomiting, and improve digestion.
  • Xin Xiu Ben Cao: Added that it treats abdominal pain and gets rid of bad breath.
  • Ben Cao Gang Mu: Expanded its uses to treating chest tightness, malaria, and even helping with hangovers.
  • De Pei Ben Cao: Highlighted its ability to clear "foggy, damp" energy trapped in the upper chest.

2. Evolution of TCM Understanding

Over time, different TCM doctors highlighted various strengths of this herb:

  • For Digestion: Many focused on its warming and Qi-moving effects, making it a go-to for cold stomachs, bloating, and vomiting.
  • For Dampness: Others emphasized its ability to clear sticky dampness, which is great for a sluggish appetite and a sticky feeling in the mouth.
  • Safety Warnings: Because it is warming and drying, historical doctors warned that people with Yin deficiency (lacking natural cooling fluids) or severe internal dryness should not use it alone, as it could worsen their symptoms.

Bai Dou Kou Round Cardamom

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Transforms dampness, moves qi, warms the middle, and checks vomiting. Apply to damp obstruction of the middle jiao, epigastric distension, and vomiting.

1. Main Focus: Resolving Dampness and Moving Qi

  • What it does: Its primary traditional function is to clear stubborn "dampness" trapped in the Spleen and Stomach, helping to smooth out blocked Qi (energy) in the digestive system.
  • When it is used: It is ideal for dampness that causes chest stuffiness, poor appetite, and bloating after meals. If you have a sticky or sweet taste in your mouth and a thick, white, greasy tongue coating, this herb is often recommended.
  • Common Pairings: To enhance its damp-clearing effects, it is often paired with Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) and Hou Po (Magnolia Bark). For better digestion, it is combined with Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) and Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root).
  • When to Avoid: Do not use it if you lack natural bodily fluids (Yin deficiency)—indicated by a dry mouth, dry stools, or a red tongue with little coating—because its warming, drying nature will make the dryness worse. Also, avoid it if you have obvious internal heat (bad breath, bitter taste, yellow tongue coating).

2. Second Focus: Warming the Center and Stopping Vomiting

  • What it does: It warms the Spleen and Stomach to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by internal coldness.
  • When it is used: It is highly effective for recurrent nausea or vomiting triggered by eating cold foods or being exposed to cold weather. It is suitable when you have a dull stomachache that feels better with warm drinks or a warm compress.
  • Common Pairings: To stop vomiting, it is frequently paired with Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) and Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber). For general Spleen weakness, it works well with Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala).
  • When to Avoid: Avoid using it if your vomiting is caused by "Stomach Fire" (symptoms include sour/foul-smelling vomit and a bitter taste). Pregnant women experiencing morning sickness should only use it under a doctor's guidance.

3. Common Herb Pair: The Digestive Duo

Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) are a classic team for digestive health.

  • Both herbs share the ability to resolve dampness, move Qi, and stop vomiting.
  • Together: They strengthen each other, making them perfect for poor appetite, bloating, or nausea caused by summer damp-heat or irregular eating habits.
  • Note: Because both are warming and drying, people with internal heat or Yin deficiency should avoid this combination.

Bai Dou Kou Round Cardamom

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Components

  • Modern lab analysis shows that Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) contains 2% to 5% essential oils, including eucalyptol, camphor, and pinene, along with flavonoids and polysaccharides.
  • In animal studies, these essential oils have shown the ability to relieve vomiting, promote gut movement, and increase digestive juices. However, large-scale human clinical trials are still limited.

2. Modern Pharmacological Focus

  • Current scientific research mostly explores two areas: its ability to regulate the gastrointestinal tract (like easing stomach cramps) and its anti-inflammatory potential observed in test tubes.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

When reading about modern studies on this herb, keep a few things in mind:

  • Lab vs. Real Life: Results from test tubes or animal models do not automatically mean the same results will happen in the human body.
  • Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Labs use highly concentrated extracts. This is very different from drinking a traditional brewed cup of Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom).
  • Inconsistent Methods: Different studies use varying extraction methods, making it hard to create a universal medical standard based purely on modern science.
  • Teamwork Matters: In TCM, the healing power comes from the whole herb and how it works with other herbs in a formula, not just a single isolated chemical compound.

Bai Dou Kou Round Cardamom

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Have in Common

Both Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) and Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) resolve dampness, smooth out Qi, and warm the stomach to stop vomiting. They are frequently used in formulas and dietary therapy for digestive discomfort.

2. The Core Differences

  • Nature and Target Area: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) is light and targets the upper and middle sections of the body (chest and stomach). Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) is slightly heavier and targets the middle and lower sections (stomach and intestines).
  • Primary Strength: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) excels at clearing dampness and relieving chest tightness or sticky breath. Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) is better at warming the gut and stopping diarrhea or cold-induced vomiting.
  • Energy Direction: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) moves energy slightly upward and outward (relieving chest pressure), while Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) pushes energy downward (calming the bowels).
  • Contraindications: Neither is good for Yin deficiency, but Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) is especially bad for upper-body dryness, while Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) is sometimes carefully used by doctors to calm the fetus during pregnancy.

3. The One-Sentence Summary

In short: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) is best for upper-body dampness, chest tightness, and sticky breath, while Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit) is better for warming the lower gut to stop diarrhea and vomiting.

Bai Dou Kou Round Cardamom

Classical Formulas Containing Bai Dou Kou

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

  • Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
  • Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Teas

  • Recipe: Cardamom and Tangerine Peel Tea
    • Ingredients: 1g Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom), 3g Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), 2 slices of fresh ginger.
    • How to make: Lightly crush the cardamom pods. Place all ingredients in a cup, add boiling water, cover, and steep for 5 minutes.
    • When to use: Great for summer humidity causing chest tightness, poor appetite, or sticky breath after a greasy meal.
    • When to avoid: Do not drink if you have a dry mouth, dry stool, or bad breath from stomach heat. Drink 2 to 3 times a week maximum; do not use it as a daily beverage.

2. Preparation and Brewing Differences

  • Raw vs. Stir-fried: Raw Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) has a stronger aroma and is better for clearing dampness. The stir-fried version is crispier, milder, and better for warming a cold stomach to stop vomiting.
  • How to Brew at Home: Because its active ingredients are essential oils, it must be added at the very end of the brewing process. Simmer your other herbs first, and only add the crushed cardamom during the last 5 to 10 minutes to prevent the oils from evaporating.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycle

  • Clinical Dosage: Traditionally 3 to 6 grams.
  • Dietary Dosage: Keep it very low—around 1 to 2 grams for teas or soups.
  • Cycle: Use for 3 to 5 days. If your symptoms do not improve, stop using it and consult a doctor. Do not use it long-term.
Bai Dou Kou Round Cardamom

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

  • Yin Deficiency and Internal Heat: If you suffer from dry mouth, dry stools, night sweats, or a red tongue, this herb will only make your dryness and heat worse.
  • Vulnerable Groups: Pregnant and nursing women, children, and the elderly should only use this under a doctor's strict guidance.
  • Allergies: If you are allergic to plants in the ginger family (like ginger or cardamom), you should avoid this herb.

2. Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

  • Medication Conflicts: It may interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or blood sugar drugs. Always space it out by 1 to 2 hours from your western medications.
  • Dietary Advice: While there are no strict "food bans," try to avoid eating large amounts of this herb alongside extremely heavy, greasy, or spicy meals, as it can burden the stomach.

3. Toxicity and Overdose Risks

  • Overdose Symptoms: Taking too much can cause severe dryness, such as a sore throat, dry mouth, and constipation. Ironically, long-term overuse can actually make stomach bloating worse.
  • What to Do: If you experience any allergic reactions (rashes, itching), breathing difficulties, or severe discomfort, stop taking it immediately and consult a healthcare professional. Always stick to the recommended tiny doses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bai Dou Kou

What is Bai Dou Kou? Are Sha Ren, Cao Dou Kou and Rou Dou Kou the same?
Official Bai Dou Kou (白豆蔻) is the dried ripe fruit of Amomum kravanh or Amomum compactum. The pharmacopoeial name is Amomi Fructus Rotundus. Sha Ren is acrid-warm: transforms dampness, opens the Stomach, warms the Spleen, stops diarrhea, regulates qi and calms the fetus. Cao Dou Kou is an alpinia: acrid-warm, dries dampness, moves qi, warms the middle and stops vomiting, and is more drying. Rou Dou Kou is nutmeg seed: acrid-warm, warms the middle, moves qi, astringes the intestines and stops diarrhea. Write Bai Dou Kou. Use caution in yin vacuity with blood dryness.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Bai Dou Kou?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Bai Dou Kou is acrid and warm, enters the Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels, and acts to transform dampness, move qi, warm the middle, stop vomiting, open the Stomach and disperse food. It is used for damp-turbidity obstructing the middle, no desire to eat, the start of damp-warmth, chest oppression without hunger, cold-damp counterflow vomiting, chest and abdominal distending pain, and undigested food. Acrid-warm and aromatic, it suits cold-damp qi stagnation—not yin vacuity with blood dryness or Stomach-heat vomiting.
How is Bai Dou Kou decocted? Can Sha Ren replace it?
Crush it and add it near the end; do not decoct it long, or the volatile oil is lost. Villous amomum leans to warming the Spleen, stopping diarrhea, regulating qi and calming the fetus; it cannot replace transforming dampness and stopping vomiting by equal weight. Commercial cardamom tea is not equal-weight pieces.
What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a damp tea?
The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 3–6 g, added near the end. It is not a four-season “cardamom damp tea.” Yin vacuity with blood dryness only dries further as it warms. Vomiting needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace digestive assessment.
What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?
Unsuitable in yin vacuity with blood dryness and no cold-damp. Use caution in Stomach-heat vomiting. Pregnancy needs a practitioner’s assessment. Stop if dry mouth, sore throat or worsening vomiting appears. Vomiting blood and severe abdominal pain need medical care.
Can Bai Dou Kou transform dampness, move qi, warm the middle, stop vomiting, open the Stomach and disperse food?
It can help damp-turbidity obstructing the middle and cold-damp counterflow vomiting. The start of damp-warmth joins apricot kernel, coix and talc in San Ren Tang. It transforms dampness, moves qi, warms the middle, stops vomiting, opens the Stomach and disperses food—not a specific for every vomiting or every distension.
Can Bai Dou Kou be drunk daily as a damp, vomiting or digestion tea?
Cold-damp qi stagnation may enter a short formula; yin vacuity with blood dryness only dries further as it warms. “Cardamom must disperse distension and stop vomiting” does not replace digestive assessment. Transforming dampness, moving qi, warming the middle and stopping vomiting should name 3–6 g, added near the end.
How do you choose among Bai Dou Kou, Sha Ren, Cao Dou Kou, Rou Dou Kou and Huo Xiang?
Round cardamom is acrid-warm: transforms dampness, moves qi, warms the middle, stops vomiting, opens the Stomach and disperses food—damp-turbidity in the middle and cold-damp vomiting. Villous amomum is acrid-warm: transforms dampness, opens the Stomach, warms the Spleen, stops diarrhea, regulates qi and calms the fetus—Spleen-vacuity diarrhea and a restless fetus. Katsumadai is acrid-warm: dries dampness, moves qi, warms the middle and stops vomiting—heavier cold-damp. Nutmeg is acrid-warm: warms the middle, moves qi, astringes the intestines and stops diarrhea—vacuity-cold chronic diarrhea. Agastache is acrid and slightly warm: transforms dampness, stops vomiting and resolves summerheat—summerheat-damp and exterior patterns. Damp-warm chest oppression favors Bai Dou Kou (San Ren Tang); Spleen-vacuity diarrhea favors Sha Ren; heavier cold-damp favors Cao Dou Kou; slippery diarrhea favors Rou Dou Kou; summerheat-damp favors Huo Xiang. They may be paired; yin vacuity with blood dryness forbids large Bai Dou Kou and Cao Dou Kou.
Which herbs is Bai Dou Kou combined with? What are the representative formulas?
The start of damp-warmth joins apricot kernel, coix, talc, magnolia bark and rice-paper plant pith in San Ren Tang. Cold-damp vomiting may join agastache and pinellia. Write Bai Dou Kou 3–6 g, added near the end; do not replace it with nutmeg by equal weight.
How do you choose and store Bai Dou Kou?
Choose subspherical fruits, yellow-white, a thin pericarp, a seed mass in three lobes, an aromatic odor and an acrid, cool, slightly bitter taste. Moldy, moth-eaten, empty or faintly scented lots are discarded. Store cool and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Bai Dou Kou; do not replace transforming dampness, moving qi, warming the middle, stopping vomiting, opening the Stomach and dispersing food with villous amomum or nutmeg by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.

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Bai Dou Kou (Round Cardamom): Transform Dampness, Move Qi, and Stop Vomiting