Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 草豆蔻 · Cao Dou Kou |
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| Medicinal Part | Fruits and seeds |
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| Efficacy Category | Dampness-transforming |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried nearly mature seed of Alpinia katsumadai Hayata (Zingiberaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Warm |
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| Channels Entered | Spleen, Stomach |
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What Is Cao Dou Kou?
Cao Dou Kou (Katsumada Galangal Seed) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Warm
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach
Cao Dou Kou: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen
Botanical Origin
The dried nearly mature seed of Alpinia katsumadai Hayata (Zingiberaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has full seeds, firm, semi-spherical, and potent aroma and taste.
Macroscopic Features
Semi-spherical seed clusters, 1.5~2.7cm diameter. Externally grayish-brown, yellowish-white sections form a semi-spherical shape, the seed clusters form 3 separate lobes, each lobe has numerous seeds and sticks together; the cluster is slightly smooth. Seeds are oval-shaped polyhedrons, 3~5mm long, about 3mm diameter; the outside is covered with a pale brown aril, raphe is one longitudinal groove, the other end has hilum. Hard texture, breaks along the raphe into two lobes, longitudinal cut surface is oblique heart-shaped; seed coat extends inwards along raphe, taking 1/2 area of the whole; endosperm is grayish-white. Aromatic odor; taste acrid, and slightly bitter.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; WarmSpleenStomach
Traditional Functions
Dries dampness and moves qi, warms the middle and stops vomiting.
How Cao Dou Kou Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Cao Dou Kou is classified among the Dampness-transforming herbs.
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.
