3Cao Guo - Caoguo - Fructus Tsaoko

Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fruit) is a warm, acrid, and aromatic herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that strongly dries dampness, disperses cold, and supports digestion. It comes from the dried ripe fruit of Amomum tsao-ko, a large cardamom species native to Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. Known for its intense aroma and warming nature, Cao Guo is often used in cases of severe dampness with cold, particularly in the Spleen and Stomach, and is a key herb for treating malarial disorders in southern China. It is also valued for reducing food stagnation, relieving bloating, and alleviating discomfort caused by excessive consumption of greasy or cold foods.

Functies en voordelen

Strongly Dries Dampness and Disperses Cold
Treats abdominal fullness, bloating, and lack of appetite caused by cold-damp obstruction.

Warms the Middle and Promotes Digestion
Stimulates digestive function in cases of sluggish metabolism and heaviness.

Treats Malarial Disorders
Used in southern climates to prevent and alleviate alternating fever and chills.

Reduces Food Stagnation
Eases discomfort from overeating, especially heavy or oily foods.

Indicaties (wie kan er baat bij hebben?)
✔ Individuals with bloating, heaviness, and poor appetite from cold-dampness.
✔ People living in damp, humid environments prone to digestive sluggishness.
✔ Those suffering from malarial-type alternating fever and chills.
✔ Patients with abdominal distension from greasy food stagnation.

Diagnose van tong en pols in TCM
Tongue: Pale with thick white greasy coating in cold-damp; pale with greasy yellow coating in damp-heat.
Pulse: Slow and slippery in cold-damp; soggy or wiry in damp-heat malaria patterns.

Verwante TCM-patronen
Cold-Damp Obstructing the Middle – Causes bloating, heaviness, and loss of appetite.
Damp-Heat Malaria – Produces alternating chills and fever.
Food Stagnation with Cold – Leads to poor digestion and distension.

Klinische toepassingen (alleen ter referentie)
Cold-Damp Abdominal Distension – Dries dampness and restores appetite.
Malarial Disorders – Relieves alternating chills and fever in humid climates.
Digestive Sluggishness – Warms and stimulates digestive activity.
Post-Heavy Meal Discomfort – Reduces bloating from greasy foods.

Common Herbal Formulas with Cao Guo
Often paired with Hou Po and Ban Xia for cold-damp digestion, or with Qing Hao for malaria prevention and treatment.

Voorzorgsmaatregelen en contra-indicaties
Avoid in cases of Yin deficiency with heat.
Not suitable for individuals with dry mouth, thirst, or heat signs without dampness.
Excessive use may injure the stomach Yin.

Aanbevelingen voor levensstijl en dieet
✔ Eat warming, aromatic foods like ginger, cinnamon, and clove to support digestion.
✔ Avoid cold and raw foods that worsen dampness.
✔ Maintain physical activity to improve Qi movement.
✔ Keep warm in damp or humid environments.

Conclusie
Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fruit) is a warm, acrid, and aromatic herb in TCM that strongly dries dampness, disperses cold, supports digestion, and treats malarial disorders. It is ideal for cold-damp digestive problems, bloating, and damp-climate-related illness.