- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia and southern China
Asia · Herb · № 729
Amomum villosum (en A. kravanh)
Herb · Asia
Chinese cardamom (sha ren)
Amomum villosum (en A. kravanh)
Traditionally attributed effects: warms the spleen, transforms dampness, calms a restless foetus and prevents tonics from lying heavy on the stomach.
Safety notes
Not with yin deficiency with heat. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Always discuss bleeding or pain in pregnancy with a midwife.
Preparation
Fruit/seed, crushed. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'aromatic herbs that transform dampness'. Sha ren warms the stomach and dispels damp, for nausea, bloating and morning sickness in pregnancy. It is part of Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang and is also a spice in southern Chinese dishes.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, warm, aromatic
- Meridians
- spleen, stomach, kidney, lung
Attributed effects
For dampness and stagnation in spleen and stomach with a distended, painful abdomen, poor appetite, nausea and diarrhoea, morning sickness and a restless foetus. The seed (sha ren) works more on stomach and intestine; the fruit cluster (bai dou kou) more on nausea and vomiting.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 2–5 g a day, added only at the end.
Combinations
- With hou po and tangerine peel for a bloated abdomen
- With huo xiang, ban xia and ginger for vomiting from cold
Caution: Always discuss bleeding or pain in pregnancy with a midwife.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionCompress, poultice and paste