amomum fruit

Amomum fruit (Chinese name: 砂仁, pinyin: Sha Ren) is the dried ripe fruit of plants in the genus Amomum. It is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb primarily used to transform dampness, promote the movement of Qi (vital energy), warm the Spleen and Stomach, relieve digestive discomforts such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, increase appetite, calm a restless fetus during pregnancy (for morning sickness or threatened miscarriage), and prevent stagnation caused by other tonifying herbs. Its main active constituent includes bornyl acetate from volatile oil which has demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is considered acrid and warm in nature and targets the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians[1][2][3]. It is not typically used alone but as part of multi-herb formulas for conditions like dysentery, vomiting, anorexia due to dampness accumulation or digestive sluggishness[1][5]. Modern uses focus on its carminative properties for indigestion[10].

Other names

Sha Ren砂仁Amomi Fructuscardamom podsFructus Amomi