Sha Ren

Scientific Name(s): Amomum villosum Lour., Amomum xanthioides Wall. ex Baker
Common Name(s): Amomum fruit, Bastard cardamom, Chun sha ren, Fructus amomi, Grains of paradise, Malabar cardamom, Tavoy cardamom, Yang chun sha

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 21, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Historically, sha ren has been used as a carminative and GI aid. In China, it has been used to increase appetite. Human clinical trials are needed to substantiate its efficacy.

Dosing

There is no clinical evidence to support specific dosage recommendations.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Information regarding adverse reactions is limited.

Toxicology

Toxicology information is limited.

Scientific Family

• Zingiberaceae (ginger)

Botany

A. xanthioides (sha ren) is native to tropical Asia, most abundantly in southern India, and is cultivated throughout southwestern China. The therapeutic action of sha ren is associated with the fruit or seed. The soft, thin outer surface or peel of the fruit is brownish red and covered with thornlike projections. The flattened pyramid-shaped seeds are firm in texture and average 3 mm in length, often with 4 to 15 seeds in 3 cavities separated by 3 blunt ridges. The fruit has a strong aroma and a pungent, bitter taste.Lawless 1996, Apel 2000, Evans 2002, Reid 1993, Liao 2000

History

Sha ren has been used commercially and medicinally in China and India for more than 3,000 years. European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries have used the plant as a spice. The seeds have been used in liquors, veterinary medicine, cosmetics, perfumes, and as a fragrance in soaps.Lawless 1996, Evans 2002, Bruneton 1995

Hippocrates recommended sha ren in the treatment of coughs, abdominal pain, nervous disorders, sciatica, retention of urine, and venomous bites. It is considered a carminative and GI aid (eg, enteritis, dysentery, nausea, vomiting). In China, it has been used to stimulate appetite. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia lists sha ren for the treatment of flatulent dyspepsia.Lawless 1996, Apel 2000, Chopra 1982, Guo 2008

Chemistry

The volatile oil of sha ren contains the monoterpenoids borneol, bornyl acetate, camphene, camphor, caryophyllene, limonene, linalool, myrcene, nerolidol, pinene, and terpinene. Borneol and bornyl acetate are the principal terpenoids. The stem of the plant also contains daucosterol and emodin monoglycoside.Lawless 1996, Fan 1994, Lawrence 1970, Lawrence 1972

Beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, and their epoxides contribute to the seed's aroma, while paradol is responsible for its pungency. Sha ren also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc.Evans 2002, Fan 1994, Lawrence 1970, Lawrence 1972

Uses and Pharmacology

Allergic reactions

Animal/In vitro data

In a murine model, anal administration of sha re...