An Introduction to the Characteristics, Cultivation Points and Medicinal Value of Amomum villosum

Amomum villosum is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It gets its name because it was first abundantly produced in Yangchun, Guangdong. Its dried, ripe fruit is the commonly used traditional Chinese medicine known as sharang (Amomum fruit), which, together with areca nut, Alpinia oxyphylla and Morinda officinalis, is known as one of the traditional four great southern medicines. The plant is usually 1 to 2 m tall, with narrow, elongated leaves. It flowers in late spring and early summer. The fruit is nearly spherical, with soft spine-like protrusions on its surface, turning reddish-brown when ripe and giving off a rich, pungent aroma.

This plant likes warmth and humidity, and fears severe cold and drought. It is suitable for planting on shaded forest hillsides with deep soil. It is propagated mainly by division, though seeds can also be used to raise seedlings. Because the flower structure is rather special, the fruit-setting rate from natural pollination is low, so producing areas often rely on hand pollination to increase fruit set. In day-to-day management, attention should be paid to shading and moisture retention, rational fertilization and timely drainage.

Medicinally, Amomum villosum uses its fruit, which is pungent in taste and warm in nature. In traditional Chinese medicine it is believed to dissipate dampness and stimulate the appetite, warm the spleen and stop diarrhea, and regulate qi and calm the fetus. It is often used for abdominal distension, poor appetite, and deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach, and is a common ingredient in many prescriptions and patent medicines. In everyday cooking, sharang can also be used as a spice; adding a few grains when making soup or braising meat removes odors, boosts aroma and helps stimulate the appetite.

In terms of quality, the product from Yangchun, Guangdong is generally considered the best, and it has also been introduced and cultivated in Yunnan, Guangxi, Fujian and other places. After harvesting, the fruit must be sun-dried or oven-dried promptly, and during storage it should be protected from moisture and insects. When buying, choose plump grains with a strong, pungent aroma. Before using it as medicine, it is advisable to consult a professional physician and use it appropriately according to your own constitution.