Digestant Herbs
Shan Nai: Chinese Herb Guide
Name
Shan Nai (Rhizoma Kaempferiae)
The Effect of Shan Nai
Property
Pungent, warm; stomach meridian entered.
Actions
Warm the middle energizer, promote digestion and alleviate pain.
Indications
Toothache, traumatic injury, indigestion, cold pain in the abdomen, chest distension.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 3~6 g, or made into pill or powder. Proper dosage is for external application, pounded into powder for applying or puffing through nose.
Cautions
It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with anemia and stomach fire.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.
Did this article help you?
Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.
Keep readingRelated entries
Wu Tong Zi: Chinese Herb Guide
Wu Tong Zi (Phoenix Tree Seed) Sweet, neutral; heart, lung and kidney channels
Mo Yu (Rhizoma Amorphophalli)
Rivier Giantarum Rhizome: resolve swelling and dissipate nodulation, remove toxicity and alleviate pain.
Shan Nai (Galanga Resurrectionlily Rhizome)
Shan Nai (Galanga Resurrectionlily Rhizome): warm the middle burner, promote digestion and alleviate pain.
Lai Fu: Chinese Herb Guide
Lai Fu: promote digestion, direct qi downward, resolve phlegm, stop bleeding, relieve thrist and promote urination.
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →