Galangal Fruit … Classic Formulas
Hong Dou Kou · Fructus Galangae
Primary Actions
- Warms the middle and dispels cold - Hong Dou Kou is used for cold abdominal pain, weak digestion, and damp-cold obstruction affecting the middle burner.
- Dries dampness and promotes digestion - it is chosen when food stagnation, fullness, foul taste, or heavy dampness complicate an already cold digestive pattern.
- Stops nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea from cold-damp disorder - traditional indications include rebellious stomach qi with nausea as well as cold-type loose stool.
Classic Formulas
- Middle-warming digestive combinations with Gan Jiang, Chen Pi, or Mu Xiang - used when nausea, cold fullness, and food stagnation appear together.
- Cold-damp diarrhea pairings with Gao Liang Jiang or Sha Ren - traditional strategy when vomiting and loose stool reflect middle-burner cold rather than heat.
Classical Text References
- TCM Wiki describes Hong Dou Kou as pungent and warm, entering the Spleen and Lung channels to dispel cold, dry dampness, and promote digestion.
- Later herb summaries emphasize that Hong Dou Kou is especially useful when cold and dampness suppress appetite and drive vomiting or abdominal pain.