Witnessed by: TCM
Katsumada galangal (Alpinia katsumadai), of the Zingiberaceae family. Large clumping ginger-family herb with broad leaves; native range: warm forests of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan. Globally recognized as cao dou kou (草豆蔻) in Chinese, and katsumada's galangal seed in English. The part used is seed. Greyish seed clusters, aromatic and sharply pungent, warming on the tongue.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
KATSUMADA GALANGAL
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- katsumada galangal
- Scientific name
- Alpinia katsumadai Hayata
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
Form
- Part used
- seed
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Spleen · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- dries dampness, warms the middle, moves qi, harmonizes the Stomach, arrests vomiting
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in yin deficiency or where there is dryness with insufficient fluids
- Toxicity
- well tolerated within dose
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