Zingiberis Rhizoma
Aliases：Bái Jiāng (White Ginger); Jūn Jiāng (Uniform Ginger); Dàn Gān Jiāng (Light Dried Ginger); Gān Shēng Jiāng (Dried Fresh Ginger).
Gān Jiāng (Dried Ginger) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale Rosc., a plant of the Zingiberaceae family. It is excavated in winter, with fibrous roots and sediment removed, and dried in the sun or at low temperature. Fresh rhizomes sliced and dried in the sun or at low temperature are known as “Gān Jiāng Piàn” (dried ginger slices).
Efficacy & Actions
Warms the middle jiao and dispels cold; restores yang and unblocks the meridians; warms the lungs and transforms fluid retention.
Indications
Used for epigastric and abdominal cold pain, vomiting and diarrhea, yang collapse with reversal cold, cold extremities with faint pulse, cold-fluid cough and wheezing, wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, and bleeding (hematemesis, epistaxis, and hemorrhage) due to yang deficiency, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant effects. Anti-ulcer effects. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Immunomodulatory effects. Antitumor effects. Hepatoprotective and choleretic effects. Anti-hypoxic effects. Improvement of local blood circulation. Neuroregulatory effects. Myocardial cell protective effects. Antibacterial effects. Antiemetic and digestive aid effects.
Ingredients
Volatile Oils: Zingiberene, zingerone, gingerone, borneol, gingerol, etc. Gingerols. Diarylheptanoids. Flavonoids. Various amino acids.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 3–10g. The commonly used clinical dosage is 3–30g.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with yin deficiency and internal heat, or reckless bleeding due to blood heat. Use with caution during pregnancy. Use with caution in children. Use with caution in patients with hypertension. Use with caution in individuals with a febrile constitution.
Selected Formulas
For spleen-stomach deficiency cold with epigastric and abdominal cold pain, vomiting, and diarrhea (Shanghan Lun, Lizhong Tang) Take Ganjiang (Dried ginger) with Dangshen (Codonopsis), Baizhu (Atractylodes), and honey-fried Gancao (Licorice). Decoct in water and drink. For depletion of yang with reversal cold, cold limbs, and thready pulse (Shanghan Lun, Sini Tang) Take Ganjiang with Fuzi (Aconite) and honey-fried Gancao. Decoct in water and drink. For cold-phlegm cough and wheezing (Shanghan Lun, Xiaoqinglong Tang) Take Ganjiang with Mahuang (Ephedra), Guizhi (Cinnamon twig), Xixin (Asarum), Wuweizi (Schisandra), and Banxia (Pinellia). Decoct in water and drink. For cold-phlegm cough (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Linggan Wuwei Jiangxin Tang) Take Ganjiang with Fuling (Poria), Gancao, Wuweizi, and Xixin. Decoct in water and drink. For mixed cold-heat pattern (Shanghan Lun, Ganjiang Huangqin Huanglian Renshen Tang) Take Ganjiang with Huangqin (Scutellaria), Huanglian (Coptis), and Renshen (Ginseng). Decoct in water and drink. For Shaoyang disorder with interior cold pattern (Shanghan Lun, Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Tang) Take Ganjiang with Chaihu (Bupleurum), Guizhi, and Huangqin. Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Dried Ginger Congee: Cook an appropriate amount of dried ginger together with polished rice to make a congee. Consume warm in the morning and evening, especially suitable in autumn and winter. It helps warm the middle jiao and dispel cold. Dried Ginger Tea: Steep an appropriate amount of dried ginger in boiling water and drink as tea, 2–4 times daily. It helps warm the middle jiao, dispel cold, and restore yang to unblock the meridians. Dried Ginger and Jujube Soup: Boil dried ginger with jujube dates, bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, and drink while warm. Suitable for the early stages of wind-cold colds and daily health maintenance. Dried Ginger and Goji Berry Medicinal Dish: Dried ginger combined with Goji berries (Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ) and other ingredients can warm the middle jiao, dispel cold, invigorate the stomach, promote blood circulation, and nourish the liver and kidneys. It is suitable for symptoms such as impotence, cold intolerance with cold limbs, and soreness of the lower back and knees due to kidney yang deficiency.
Medicinal Parts
Dried rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.
