Rou Dou Kou

Rou Dou Kou

Rou Dou Kou (Semen Myristicae) is the seed of Myristica fragrans Houtt. It is primarily grown in Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The seeds are harvested from April to June and November to December, from 7 year old trees.

Category: Stabilising and Binding.

Common Name: Nutmeg Seed; Myristica.

Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine.

Properties and Functions: Rou Dou Kou is pungent in flavour and warm in nature. Its functions are:

  • Binding the intestines and stopping diarrhoea.
  • Warming the Middle Jiao.
  • Moving Qi.
  • Alleviating pain.

Indications: Clinical indications for use include:

  • Chronic intractable diarrhoea or daybreak diarrhoea due to Cold from Kidney and Spleen deficiency.
  • Pain and distension of the epigastrium and abdomen with poor appetite and vomiting due to Cold from deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach.

Dosage: 3 – 9g

Cautions and Contra-Indications: Contra-indicated in cases of diarrhoea or dysenteric disorder due to Heat and also cases of Heat in the Stomach.