Sha Ren - 砂仁 - Fructus Amomi - Cardamon
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Fructus Amomi |
| Common English: | Amomum Fruit / Grains‐of‐paradise fruit Cardamon Grass-of-Paradise Fruit Wild Cardamon Pod |
Category
Herbs that Transform Dampness (Dampness Dissolving Aromatics)Properties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid | Warm Aromatic | Spleen Stomach (Kidney) | 1.5-7g Tincture: 1-3ml Crush, then add near the end of cooking. 3-6g (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Promotes the movement of Qi, aromatically transforms Dampness, strengthens the Spleen and stops vomiting | Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation or Dampness Distressing the Spleen/ Stomach with distention and pain, in the epigastrium and abdomen, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea |
Warms the Middle and stops diarrhea | Diarrhea from Spleen Cold |
Calms the fetus and prevents miscarriage | Restless fetus or morning sickness |
Prevents Stagnation from tonic herbs | Middle Jiao Stagnation due to herbal tonification |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
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Major Combinations
| Rx. Aucklandiae | Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis | Rx. Aucklandiae |
Increases the flow of Qi in the digestive system while reducing distention and Food Stagnation, alleviating pain and strengthening the Spleen. | Epigastric and abdominal pain, distention, nausea and vomiting due to Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation. | Qi Stagnation due to Food Stagnation. |
| Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae | Rz. Atractylodis | Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae |
Abdominal pain and diarrhea due to Dampness Obstructing the Spleen and Stomach. Morning sickness. | Cold-Damp induced diarrhea and dysentery. | Restless fetus. |
| Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum | Rx. Scutellariae | Hb. Taxilli |
Morning sickness. | Restless fetus due to Heat. | Restless fetus due to Kidney Deficiency. |
Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis | Per. Citri Reticulatae | Fr Aurantii. Immaturus |
Constrained Dampness with Qi Stagnation leading to distention and fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen. | Dampness obstructing the Spleen's transforming and transporting functions with reduced intake of food and diarrhea. Belching, nausea, and a stifling sensation in the epigastrium due to Disharmony of the Stomach Qi. Vomiting of unadulterated, or scanty but viscous fluids. Assists digestion of greasy tonic herbs. | Spleen and Stomach Qi Stagnation with indigestion. |
Sm. Raphani | Rz. Atractylodis | Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae |
Food Stagnation with indigestion. | Middle Jiao Dampness Accumulation. | Spleen and Stomach Deficiency. |
Rz. Zingiberis | ||
Cold-Damp diarrhea. |
Notes
- Certain sources classify it as a Qi mover (carminative).
- It is the main analgesic herb for abdominal pain and an important herb for dispelling Qi Stagnation in the Middle Jiao.
- Common cardamon spice can be substituted, though at a lower dosage because it is stronger.
- As a single powder, Sha Ren can regulate Qi, calm the fetus, awaken the Spleen and unbind the Stomach.
- Taken alone as a powder, it also treats bleeding and abdominal pain during pregnancy.
- Contractions of the Small Intestine are relaxed by it.
- Sha Ren and Fr. Amomi Rotundus Bai Dou Kou share similar flavors and properties. Sha Ren is strong and full, warmer and more drying than Bai Dou Kou, and acts more on the Spleen and Stomach, so it is used for more serious cases of Cold-Dampness lurking and constrained in the Middle Jiao. It also calms the fetus. Bai Dou Kou unblocks and disseminates Lung Qi; its clear, fragrant aroma is less drying than that of Sha Ren, and it is used mainly for Phlegm-Dampness obstructing the Lungs with a stifling feeling in the chest, as well as for mild cases of Cold-Dampness lurking and constrained in the Middle Jiao.
- Comparing Sha Ren, Fr. Tsaoko Cao Guo, Fr. Amomi Rotundus Bai Dou Kou and Sm. Alpiniae Katsumadai Cao Dou Kou in promoting the Qi: Sha Ren is the strongest, Bai Dou Kou ranks second, Cao Dou Kou third, and Cao Guo has nearly no effect. In warming and drying: Sha Ren is the weakest, Bai Dou Kou is stronger, Cao Dou Kou is third strongest, and Cao Guo is the strongest.
- Salt-prepared Amomum Fruit Yan Sha Ren is less warm and acrid, so it warms without drying, and it descends Qi and calms the fetus more effectively. It can guide other herbs downward, warm the Kidneys and inhibit urination, and is used for morning sickness, restless fetus, frequent urination and urinary incontinence.
- Amomum Husk Sha Ren Ke (Pericarpium Amomi Sha Ren Qiao) resembles Sha Ren but is weaker and less warm, so it suits patients with Spleen Deficiency who need gentler treatment. It is also used for milder conditions. The dosage is 3-4.5g.
- Used alone, the seeds Guang Sha Ren are somewhat stronger, at a dosage of 2-5g.
- It is often added to keep tonic herbs, especially Shu Di Huang, from causing Stagnation.
From Class
- Spleen-strengthening herbs: Mu Xiang/Sha Ren, Lian Zi, Fu Ling: Materia medica differentiates herbs that strengthen the Spleen — e.g., Sha Ren, lotus seed (Lian Zi), Fu Ling — the root (ben) treatment of phlegm. (Yuen)
- The 'ren' seeds of virtue: Tao Ren, Bai Zi Ren, Sha Ren, Xing Ren, Huo Ma Ren, Yi Yi Ren: The 'ren' seeds are allies for cultivating Ren (compassion); Yi Yi Ren represents postnatal qi aware of cultivation; take a few drops of tincture daily as ritual affirmation. (Yuen)