Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Tsaoko Fructus |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 草果 · Cao Guo |
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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 nature fruit of Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire (Zingiberaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Warm |
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| Channels Entered | Spleen, Stomach |
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What Is Cao Guo?
Cao Guo (Tsaoko Amomum Fruit) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Warm
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach
Cao Guo: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Tsaoko Fructus
Botanical Origin
The dried nature fruit of Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire (Zingiberaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is large, full, reddish-brown, with a potent aroma and taste.
Macroscopic Features
Oval shape, 2~4.5cm long, 1~2.5cm diameter; externally brown or reddish-brown, with 3 blunt ridges and obvious longitudinal grooves and ridges; apex has round raised style base; base has fruit stem or stem scars; fruit skin is pliable, 3 lobes inside, each has 7~24 seeds; seeds cluster together. Seed is polyhedron, 5~7mm diameter, yellowish-brown or reddish-brown, with grayish-white membranous aril, indented chalaza in the center, round concave hilum on the relatively narrow end of ventral, hilum is an indented longitudinal groove. Aromatic odor; taste acrid and spicy.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; WarmSpleenStomach
Traditional Functions
Dries dampness and warms the middle, stops malaria and resolves phlegm.
How Cao Guo Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Cao Guo 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.
