The plant has long, narrow and lanceolate Leaves, up to half meter sometimes. It grows directly from the stem. Flowers are clustered apically. Spikes are covered with arranged tightly yellow bracts, within which there are white flowers. When autumn comes, spikes produce a bunch of quasi-spherical fruits, hanging on the top just like a cluster of grapes. Immature fruit is green and mature one turns into white or light yellow. Ripe fruit is 1.5cm in diameter. Dried pods are thin and crisp, within which gaps between seeds are rather big. So it can be smashed easily. Dried fruit is light in weight. Inside the pods, spheroid-like seeds clustering very closely. The clusters are divided into three sections, each with about 10 pieces. All of them grows tightly and is hard to separate from them. In addition, the irregularly shaped seeds are dark brownish red in color.

WHAT'RE CARDAMOM SEEDS USED FOR?
It is warm and pungent in nature and associated with spleen and stomach channels. Main indications include transforming dampness to promote the circulation of Qi and warming middle burner to arresting vomiting. To be specific, it warms stomach, helps digestion, alleviates middle energizer, and releases Qi stagnation, indigestion, stifling sensation in the chest, Abdominal Distention, belching, Nausea, Vomiting, and Malaria. Regular dosage is from 3 to 10 grams in decoction and 2 to 5 grams in powder.

Cardamon seeds

HERBAL FORMULAS RELATED WITH CARDAMOM SEEDS
Bai Dou Kou San, from Bo Ji Fang (Extensive Relieving Prescriptions), is mainly used for disharmony of spleen and stomach, which presents Diarrhea or loose bowels. Other herbs in this recipe Zhi Ke (Zhi Qiao, Citrus aurantium fruit), Rou Gui (Dried Cinnamon Bark), Ju Pi (Tangerine Peel), Ke Zi (Myrobalan Fruit), and Dang Gui (Dong Quai).

Bai Dou Kou Tang, from Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu (Shen's Work on the Importance of Life Preservation), is formulated for vomit and hiccup. Other herbal ingredients include Huo Xiang (Hyssop), Ban Xia (Pinellia), Chen Pi (Citrus peel), and Sheng Jiang (Ginger).

TCM METHODOLOGY
Ancient Chinese believe that man is an integral part of the nature and tend to learn how the body works from the analogy of the phenomenon of nature. As for cardamom seeds, it is being apprehended the following way. Firstly, it is fully enclosed in the pods, which infers that it seals well its unique flavor inside. As one of undergrowth, it loves warm, humid and humus-rich soil, which means it is born with the capability of transforming dampness. Else, cardamom plant is straight so that nourishment and water can be supplied to the entire tree smoothly, which reflects that it is good at promoting Qi and transforming dampness with such an awesome drainage.

This methodology may not be advanced and scientific but it is the way how Traditional Chinese people viewed the world and human body. They sorted out the proven recipes and explained it in a theory that was thought to be the best then.