Dried Ginger — Classic Formulas
Gan Jiang · Rhizoma Zingiberis
Primary Actions
- Warms the middle and dispels interior cold - Gan Jiang is a major herb for abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and weak digestion when cold impairs Spleen-Stomach function.
- Rescues devastated Yang and restores the pulse - in severe deficiency-cold patterns it is combined with stronger agents such as Fu Zi to revive depleted Yang.
- Warms the Lung and transforms thin mucus - traditional use extends to cold-phlegm cough, clear copious sputum, and chronic Lung cold.
Classic Formulas
- Li Zhong Wan - classic formula for middle-jiao deficiency-cold with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and poor appetite in which Gan Jiang is the warming core.
- Si Ni Tang - Gan Jiang works with Fu Zi and Zhi Gan Cao to rescue devastated Yang in severe cold-collapse patterns.
- Xiao Qing Long Tang - includes Gan Jiang to warm the Lung and help transform cold fluids behind cough and wheezing.
Classical Text References
- Traditional materia medica describe Gan Jiang as acrid and hot, entering the Spleen, Stomach, Heart, and Lung to warm the interior and restore Yang.
- Its core identity is internal warming: middle-burner cold, devastated Yang, and cold-phlegm Lung patterns are the main classical uses.