Cao Doukou, also known as Cao Guo or Cao Gu, has a bitter taste but emits a natural fragrance. Therefore, it is often used as a spice. Let's learn about the efficacy and usage of Cao Doukou together!
[The Health Benefits of Cao Doukou]
1. Tonifies the Spleen and Dries Dampness
Although Cao Doukou has a bitter taste when consumed, it has a fragrant smell. Cao Doukou is mild and its nature is relatively dry and fierce. It has a good effect on resolving dampness and promoting the function of the spleen.
2. Eliminates Odors
Cao Doukou naturally emits a pleasant fragrance, which makes people feel comfortable and refreshed when smelled. This fragrance also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and can treat oral odor.
3. Promotes Qi Circulation and Relieves Pain
Cao Doukou can help remove internal heat toxins from the body and has a good therapeutic effect on chest and abdomen cold pain, nausea, and vomiting.
[Cooking Usages of Cao Doukou]
In addition to its medicinal uses, Cao Doukou can also be used as a spice. It has a pungent taste and can disperse odors, making it useful in cooking to enhance the aroma of dishes.
As a spice, Cao Doukou mainly functions to enhance flavor and eliminate fishy and gamey smells. It is particularly effective in Sichuan-style cold dishes, as it can enhance aroma, promote digestion, and stimulate appetite.
Cao Doukou is a traditional Chinese medicine that can dry dampness, tonify the spleen, warm the stomach, and relieve vomiting. It is used for conditions such as cold and dampness obstruction, distension and fullness in the epigastrium, belching, poor appetite.
Cao Doukou can also be used as a food seasoning with other medicinal ingredients such as Sichuan peppercorn, star anise, and cinnamon, to remove the odor of fish and meat.
In addition, Cao Doukou stems are tough and have good permeability, making them excellent weaving materials. Weaving cushions with Cao Doukou stems can provide warmth in winter and coolness in summer, and have the function of preventing and treating bedsores.
[Precautions for Using Cao Doukou]
Cao Doukou should be avoided by those with Yin deficiency and blood deficiency, inadequate body fluid, and no cold-dampness syndrome.
1. Avoid Cao Doukou for those with Yin deficiency and blood dryness.
2. Cao Doukou should not be taken with iron.
3. Cao Doukou should not be used for malaria not caused by miasma; chest pain and epigastric pain caused by fire rather than cold; damp-heat stasis, stagnant heat invading the exterior, resulting in bloody and white discharge with urgency and heaviness following diarrhea, thirst, abdominal distension and fullness, or difficulty urinating, which are all due to damp-heat. They should not be treated with Cao Doukou.
