Fructus Amomi
Source
The fruit of Amomum villosum Lour. or A. longiligutare T.L Wu, family
Zingiberaceae.
Characteristics
Fruit oblong, 1.5-2.0 cm long. Surface brown, obtusely or obviously 
trigonous,
densely covered with soft thorns or flaky branching soft thorns; fruit
stalk remained at the base; 3-celled inside, each cell containing a seed
mass, each mass comsisting of 5-17 polyhedral seeds. Aromatic in odour.
Acrid in taste, warm in nature, and attributive to spleen, stomach and
kidney channels.
Indication
1. Eliminate dampness and promote the circulation of vital energy, strengthen
the stomach and stop vomiting: For dampness-syndrome involving spleen-yang
and stagnation of spleen energy and stomach energy with feeling of fullness
and distending pain in the chest and upper abdomen and loss of appetite;
for deficiency-cold of spleen and stomach or dampness-stagnation syndrome
with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and 
abdominal
pain.
2. Prevent miscarriage: For threatened abortion due to stagnation of vital
energy.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Its decoction lower than 1% concentration stimulates and that higher
than 1% or the saturated solution of its volatile oil inhibits the intestines
of guinea-pigs in vitro.
2. Its volatile oil acts as stomachic tonic and exaggerates the discharge
of flatus.
Administration Decoction: 3-10g (decocted later).