Alpinia Galanga Semen, Galangal Seed, Hong Dou Kou 红豆蔻

Major Galangal Seed
Hong Dou Kou (TCM)

Zorn, Oskamp, Vervolg op de Afbeeldingen der artseny-gewassen
met derzelver Nederduitsche en Latynsche beschryvingen, vol. 1. (1813)

Botanical name:

AIpinia galanga

Parts used:

Seed

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Pungent, Aromatic

Classification:

J. Aromatics that Resolve Dampness

Uses:

1. Warms the Stomach, Clears Damp, Opens Obstructions:
-cold pain of the Stomach or Abdomen, abdominal distention
-Indigestion, Nausea, Vomiting, Belching, Diarrhea from Cold-Damp
-Cold weakness of the Intestines with watery Diarrhea
-Food Stagnation with abdominal bloating

2. Warms the Kidney Yang:
-Yang deficiency with Cold watery Diarrhea
-cold and weakness of the lower abdomen from Yang deficiency

3. Resists Poison:
-alcohol toxicity
-Malarial disorders

Dose:

Decoction: 3–6 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams

Comment:

The effect of this herb is very similar to Alpinia katsumadai Cao Dou Kou, except this is regarded as stronger.

Main Combinations:

1. Cold Pain of the Stomach:
i. Galangal Seed (Hong Dou Kou) with Long Pepper, Atractylodes Bai Zhu
ii. Galangal Seed (Hong Dou Kou) with Ginger and Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu) for Stomach Cold with Liver Qi stagnation marked by hypochondriac distention

Cautions:

Not used for Yin deficiency or excess Heat.