$6.95 USA Shipping • 90-Day Hassle-Free Returns

Home » Rou Dou Kou – Nutmeg – Semen Myristicae

Rou Dou Kou – Nutmeg – Semen Myristicae

No matching products found.

Rou Dou Kou

English Name: myristica, nutmeg

Pharmaceutical Name: Semen Myristicae

Medica Category: Astringent Herbs

Properties: Rou Dou Kou enters the Large Intestine, Spleen, and Stomach channels; it is acrid in nature and warm in temperature.

What is Rou Dou Kou?:

The Chinese Herb Rou Dou Kou is the dried, inner seed of the fruit of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans Houtt.). Nutmeg trees are native to Indonesia but now cultivated around the world for the commercial production of the seeds from which the spice that we are familiar with is derived. It takes these trees about eight years to begin producing fruit. When this fruit ripens, it splits in half, revealing a bright red, netlike structure wrapped around a dark, brittle shell. Within this shell is the nutmeg seed, which are removed from the fruit and dried in the sun. For use as medicine to stop diarrhea and to warm the middle (see below), the seeds are roasted (as unprocessed Rou Dou Kou contains an essential oil that stimulates the intestines and causes diarrhea).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Rou Dou Kou:

Rou Dou Kou binds the intestines to address chronic diarrhea (i.e. watery diarrhea, often with bits of undigested food) that is caused by Spleen yang deficiency and presents with secondary symptoms of rectal prolapse, abdominal fullness and distention, vomiting, and poor appetite. Severe cases of Spleen yang deficiency where there is also Kidney yang deficiency present with early morning diarrhea as well (aka “5 am diarrhea” or “cock’s crow diarrhea”).

Rou Dou Kou warms the middle jiao, regulates qi, and stops pain when there is deficiency and cold in the middle. It is used to address the epigastric fullness and pain, abdominal bloating, poor appetite, indigestion, and sensations of cold that are indicative of qi stagnation in the middle (which is in turn is rooted in Spleen yang deficiency).

–safety/clinical notes:

Contraindicated for persons with diarrhea or dysentery caused by heat/damp-heat.

Articles Related To Tag: Rou Dou Kou – Nutmeg – Semen Myristicae

  • The Best Chinese Herbs for Stress Relief

    According to the American Institute of Stress, 94% of Americans claim to experience chronic stress. Can Chinese herbs for stress help with this overwhelming epidemic? From work deadlines to family commitments to financial challenges, stress seeps into our daily lives from all angles. While triggers can span from mild issues like your traffic-heavy commute to…

  • The Best Chinese Herbs for Dental and Oral Health 

    Oral health is not just about keeping your pearly whites sparkling; your mouth is a gateway to the health of your whole body! But when was the last time you focused on improving your oral health? Beyond daily brushing and flossing, there are many ways to heal your mouth – including Chinese herbs for oral…

  • 15 Herbal Formulas to Conquer Spring Allergy Symptoms

    Winter’s chill is fading, allowing Spring to burst through with new life. Unfortunately for many people, this change in seasons also signals the start of sniffling noses, congested chests, itching eyes, and relentless coughs. It’s allergy season. As we embrace the beauty of the spring season (with tissues in hand), it’s also time to explore…

  • The Best Chinese Herbs for Hay Fever

    Have you ever found yourself sniffling and sneezing with watery eyes as the flowers begin to bloom and the trees regain their leaves? If so, you’re likely one of the many experiencing the seasonal affliction known as hay fever. Hay fever (also known as seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis) affects over a quarter of all…

  • The Best Chinese Herbs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, oh my! These may sound like the symptoms of a stomach bug, but for the 45 million Americans who struggle with IBS, they are a common part of daily life. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is more than just occasional digestive discomfort. It is a chronic condition that can significantly impact your…