Amomum compactum (Amomum compactum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Amomum compactum work for digestion?

Amomum compactum works primarily through its volatile oils, such as cineole and borneol, which function as carminatives. These compounds help relax gastrointestinal smooth muscle, reducing spasms and expelling gas to relieve bloating. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this mechanism is described as 'warming the middle burner' and transforming dampness to resolve digestive stagnation. This action helps stimulate appetite and alleviate nausea (Evidence Level: C/Traditional).

Is Amomum compactum safe to take during pregnancy?

Amomum compactum is generally considered unsafe during pregnancy despite its historical use for morning sickness. Regulatory guidelines often advise against its use while pregnant due to the presence of volatile oils like camphor, which may stimulate uterine contractions. While Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners have used it for nausea, modern safety assessments recommend avoiding it unless prescribed by a qualified specialist. It should not be used while breastfeeding (Evidence Level: C).

What is the recommended dosage for Amomum compactum?

The standard adult dosage for Amomum compactum is typically 3 to 6 grams of dried fruit daily. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the fruit is often ground into a powder or added to decoctions. Because the active medicinal compounds are volatile oils, practitioners recommend adding the herb during the last few minutes of boiling to preserve potency. Always follow specific product instructions or professional advice (Evidence Level: Traditional).

Does Amomum compactum interact with any medications?

Currently, there are no well-documented severe drug interactions associated with Amomum compactum in standard medical databases. However, because it influences gastric motility, it could theoretically alter the absorption rates of oral medications. As a warming herb, it is generally avoided when taking cooling or sedating herbal formulas. Patients taking prescription drugs should consult a qualified practitioner before use (Evidence Level: D).

What are the main benefits of Amomum compactum (Bai Dou Kou)?

Amomum compactum is primarily used to treat digestive stagnation and nausea. As a carminative, it helps relieve bloating, gas, and abdominal distension. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is valued for 'warming the middle burner' and transforming dampness, making it effective for symptoms like loss of appetite, morning sickness, and lethargy. It is often paired with other herbs to enhance digestive function (Evidence Level: C/Traditional).

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 17 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Amomum compactum, also known as Java cardamom, is a spice herb used in traditional medicine and food flavoring [PMID:37781022]. It exhibits antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:37781022, PMID:36079603, PMID:22553068].

Background

Amomum compactum (Java cardamom) is a member of the Zingiberaceae family [PMID:36079603]. It is a basic species of the traditional herbal medicine amomi fructus rotundus [PMID:29449878].

Traditional uses

It is commonly used as a spice for flavoring food and in traditional medicine in Indonesia [PMID:37781022] and Korea [PMID:22553068]. Historically, it may have been used as baidoukou [PMID:1482527].

Active compounds

The primary active compound of its volatile oil is 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) [PMID:37842654, PMID:37781022]. It also contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds [PMID:36079603], as well as o-cymene and terpinen-4-ol [PMID:35342880].

Mechanism of action

1,8-cineole ameliorates colon injury by inhibiting the HSP90-NLRP3-SGT1 complex and downregulating macrophage M1 polarization [PMID:37842654]. Ethanolic extracts inhibit the production of NO, PGE(2), IL-6, and TNF-α by inhibiting NF-κB translocation and enhancing HO-1 expression and Nrf2 nuclear translocation [PMID:22553068]. It also demonstrates Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibition [PMID:37781022] and α-glucosidase inhibition [PMID:35342880].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DAllergic Asthma

Treatment markedly decreased infiltrating eosinophils, mucus hypersecretion, ROS, Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5), and total IgE in a murine model [PMID:20834153]

Evidence DColitis

1,8-cineole showed remarkable anti-inflammatory effects on colitis pathogenesis in a DSS-induced mouse model [PMID:37842654]

Evidence DGastric Ulcer

A combination of hot water extracts (including A. compactum) showed gastroprotective effects against aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in rats [PMID:25183139]

Evidence DAcute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Used for treatment of gentamicin-induced AKI in rats, affecting phospholipid metabolism [PMID:27978472]

Evidence DHeart Failure

As part of Sugemule-3 decoction, it demonstrated cardioprotective effects against isoproterenol-induced heart failure in rats via regulation of mitochondrial dynamics [PMID:34600079]

Evidence DBacterial Infections (Colibacillosis)

Safety & adverse effects

A polyherbal formulation containing A. compactum showed no significant toxic effects or deaths in rats at a single oral dose of 2,000 mg/kg, with an estimated LD50 > 2,000 mg/kg [PMID:32309440].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is based primarily on in vitro studies and animal models (mice, rats, and chickens), indicating strong potential for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. There are no human clinical trials provided in the source data.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37781022 (2023) — Antibacterial and Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibition Activities of Essential Oil from Java Cardamom (Amomum compactum) Fruit. · Indian journal of microbiology
2.PMID: 36079603 (2022) — Effects of Methods and Durations of Extraction on Total Flavonoid and Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Java Cardamom (Amomum compactum Soland Ex Maton) Fruit. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 33365677 (2019) — Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Amomum villosum. · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
4.PMID: 37842654 (2023) — 1,8-cineole ameliorates colon injury by downregulating macrophage M1 polarization via inhibiting the HSP90-NLRP3-SGT1 complex. · Journal of pharmaceutical analysis
5.PMID: 29449878 (2018) — Complete chloroplast genome of the medicinal plant Amomum compactum: gene organization, comparative analysis, and phylogenetic relationships within Zingiberales.

Amomum compactum

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Amomum compactum