The efficacy and function of Xiaocaokou

As for Xiaocao Kou, I think some people may have heard of it or even taken it. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t heard of it. Next, I will introduce Xiao Cao Kou to you.

【English name】 Small Galangal

【Other name】 Alpinia serrata

[Source] Medicinal material source: The fruit of the ginger plant Ginger species.

[Original form] Cardamomum villosum, perennial herb, up to 2m tall. The petiole is extremely short, about 3mm long or absent; the ligule is 7-8mm long, blunt and leathery; the leaf blade is linear-lanceolate, 35-40cm long, 4.5-5cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex with a small tip, gradually narrowed at the base, and glabrous on both sides except for the hairy edges. The raceme is erect, 10-12cm long, supported by a leafless sheath at the base, and the axis of the inflorescence is covered with silky hairs; the pedicel is 2-4mm long; the bracteoles are oblong, 2.3-2.5cm long, glabrous, and wrapped around the buds when in bud and fall off when in bloom; the calyx is 1.5-2cm long, tubular, glabrous, with 2 teeth at the top, with ciliate apex, and one side splitting to below the middle; the corolla is glabrous, with a tube 11mm long, and the lobes are lanceolate, about 3cm long; the lateral reduced stamens are nearly awl-shaped; the lip is obovate, about 3.5cm long, with 2 lobes at the apex, and glabrous; the filaments are about 1.3cm long, with short soft hairs on the back of the base, and the anthers are 1.2cm long; the style is glabrous; the filaments are about 1.3cm long, with short soft hairs on the back of the base, and the anthers are 1.2cm long; the style is glabrous; the ovary is spherical, 4-5mm in diameter, and covered with long silky hairs. The fruit is spherical, 2-2.5cm in diameter, covered with short soft hairs, with a persistent calyx at the tip. The flowering period is from April to June, and the fruiting period is from May to July.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: grows in dense forests.

[Properties] Identification of properties: the fruit is spherical, with a diameter of 1.5-2cm, the surface is earthy yellow to light brown, with a nearly cylindrical calyx on the top and a fruit stalk or fruit stalk mark at the base. The fruit skin is smooth, easily broken, and contains a seed mass. It has a fragrant aroma and a spicy and cool taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; warm

【Functions and indications】Warms the middle and dispels cold; promotes qi circulation and relieves pain. Mainly treats stomach cold and qi stagnation; abdominal distension and pain

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 2-6g; or grind into powder.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": Fruit: Treats stomach cold, abdominal pain, bloating, etc.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

In the above, we introduced Xiaocaokou and its characteristics. We can know that Xiaocaokou has very good efficacy and functions, and has played a therapeutic and auxiliary therapeutic role in many diseases. I hope this will be helpful to everyone’s health.