Cao Dou Kou

Gan Jiang (Zingiberis rhizomaj, Xiao Hui Xiang (Foeniculi fructusj, Cao Dou Kou (Alpiniae katsumadai semenj and Hua Jiao (Zanthoxyli fructusj... 

Xiao Hui Xiang, Cao Dou Kou and Hua Jiao can all warm the Middle-Jiao and expel damp-cold. These three herbs are pungent and warm, and enter the Spleen and Stomach meridians. They are used to treat abdominal pain, distension, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. 

Cao Dou Kou is also an aromatic herb. Unlike Xiao Hui Xiang, which promotes Qi movement, its strong point is to dry dampness and warm the Spleen. As a result, it can treat nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite. 

Hua Jiao has similar functions to Cao Dou Kou, but is much warmer, so its ability to dry dampness and disperse cold is stronger. Since this is a poisonous herb and it moves quickly in the Middle-Jiao, it is only used for acute excessive damp-cold syndrome for a short period of time, such as for severe cramping pain in the abdomen, frequent and urgent bowel movement and watery stools. 

Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis rhizoma recens) and Cao Dou Kou (Alpiniae katsumadai semen)... 

Cao Dou Kou is pungent and warm, and enters the Spleen and Large Intestine meridians. It can effectively warm the Middle-Jiao, dry dampness and promote the Qi movement. It is often selected to treat abdominal distension and pain with cold sensation and poor digestion. 

For severe damp cold with bodily cold and pain, add Cortex Cinnamomi (Rou Gui), Fructus Alpiniae Katsumadai (Cao Dou Kou), and dry Rhizoma Zingiberis (Gan Jiang). 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , , ]

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