Editor’s Note
Today marks the beginning of spring, a time when Yang energy begins to rise and temperatures gradually increase. However, cold pathogens are one of the significant evils leading to spring illnesses, making it essential to warm Yang and dispel cold. In this regard, using warming and dispersing herbs can effectively alleviate internal cold. Some common kitchen spices are excellent at warming and dispersing cold!
Common Warming Herbs
Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger)
Nature: Warm, Flavor: Spicy, Enters the Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. Its primary functions are to warm the lungs and transform phlegm, warm the middle and restore Yang.
Indicated for cough due to lung cold with thin, white phlegm, combined with Xi Xin (Asarum), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Fu Ling (Poria), and Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice); for abdominal pain and diarrhea due to Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency, combined with Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Gan Cao (Licorice); and to assist Fu Zi (Aconite) in restoring Yang and rescuing from collapse.
When Gan Jiang is stir-fried until black on the outside and yellow on the inside, it becomes Pao Jiang (Processed Ginger), which is extremely hot and bitter, with functions to warm the middle, stop diarrhea, and stop bleeding. It is used for bleeding due to Yang deficiency, combined with Ai Ye (Mugwort), Di Yu (Sanguisorba), and Qian Cao (Madder); for diarrhea, combined with Fang Feng (Siler) and Sha Ren (Amomum).
Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) is warm and spicy, used to warm the middle and stop vomiting. It is indicated for external wind-cold, combined with Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) and Fang Feng (Siler) to disperse cold; for cold drinks in the stomach, to disperse cold and relieve pain.
However, Gan Jiang, Pao Jiang, and Sheng Jiang each have their specific functions, hence the ancient saying: “Sheng Jiang moves but does not hold, Pao Jiang holds but does not move, Gan Jiang can both move and hold.“
Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark)
Nature: Very hot, Flavor: Spicy, Sweet, Enters the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen meridians. Its primary functions are to warm the middle, tonify Yang, disperse cold, and relieve pain.
Indicated for decline of Ming Men fire such as premature ejaculation, impotence, and frequent urination, combined with Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Suo Yang (Cynomorium), and Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry); for weak Spleen Yang causing diarrhea and abdominal pain, combined with Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea), and Hu Lu Ba (Trigonella); for cold pain in the abdomen, combined with Fu Zi (Aconite), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Ding Xiang (Clove), and Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia); for cold bi syndrome and low back pain, combined with Du Zhong (Eucommia), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Gou Ji (Cynomorium), and Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe); for women with cold in the Chong and Ren channels, menstrual pain, combined with Dang Gui (Angelica), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Bai Shao (White Peony), and Ai Ye (Mugwort); for long-term illness with deficiency of Qi and Blood, combined with Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Dang Gui (Angelica), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia); for internal cold abscess, combined with Pao Jiang (Processed Ginger), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Ma Huang (Ephedra), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), and Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice). Additionally, Rou Gui combined with Huang Bai (Phellodendron) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) can assist in transforming damp-heat in the lower jiao, treating symptoms like thirst, and urinary retention.
Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper)
Nature: Very hot, Flavor: Spicy, Toxic, Enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung, and Kidney meridians. Its primary functions are to warm the middle, relieve pain, and kill parasites.
Indicated for severe heart pain, combined with Fu Zi (Aconite) and Ban Xia (Pinellia); for cold pain in the abdomen, combined with Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), and maltose; for cold damp diarrhea, combined with Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), and Gan Cao (Licorice); if stir-fried and wrapped in cloth to warm and apply to the painful area, it can relieve abdominal cold pain; for abdominal pain due to parasitic accumulation, combined with Shi Jun Zi (Quisqualis); for vomiting due to roundworms, combined with Wu Mei (Mume) and Huang Lian (Coptis).
Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel)
Nature: Warm, Flavor: Spicy, Enters the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Its primary functions are to disperse cold, relieve pain, and regulate Qi while warming the middle.
Indicated for cold pain in the abdomen, combined with Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia); for cold hernia pain and testicular heaviness, combined with tangerine seeds and lychee seeds; for vomiting due to stomach cold and reduced appetite, combined with Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Ban Xia (Pinellia), and Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel). Additionally, in clinical practice, Xiao Hui Xiang is often used with Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel), and Wu Yao (Lindera) to treat lower abdominal Qi stagnation and bloating.
Ding Xiang (Clove)
Nature: Warm, Flavor: Spicy, Enters the Lung, Stomach, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. Its primary functions are to warm the middle, descend rebellious Qi, and assist Yang.
Indicated for stomach cold with hiccups, combined with Persimmon calyx; for stomach cold with vomiting, combined with Ban Xia (Pinellia); for impotence with discharge, combined with Fu Zi (Aconite), Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel), Ba Jiu (Morinda), and Xian Ling Pi (Epimedium). Additionally, Ding Xiang combined with Rou Gui can be powdered and used externally to warm the meridians, promote blood circulation, and relieve pain, indicated for internal abscesses and traumatic injuries.
Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia)
Nature: Very hot, Flavor: Spicy and bitter, Slightly toxic, Enters the Liver, Stomach, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. Its primary functions are to warm the middle, relieve pain, descend rebellious Qi, and kill parasites.
Indicated for cold pain in the abdomen, combined with Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Mu Xiang (Aucklandia); for cold hernia pain, combined with Wu Yao (Lindera), Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel), and Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper); for gout pain, combined with Mu Guo (Papaya); for abdominal pain and early morning diarrhea, combined with Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), and Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg); for cold pain in women’s lower abdomen during menstruation, combined with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Dang Gui (Angelica), and Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum). Additionally, Wu Zhu Yu can assist Huang Lian (Coptis) in treating liver fire pain in the hypochondrium, vomiting, and acid reflux, and assist Huang Lian and Bai Shao (White Peony) in treating diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Case Study
Ms. Jiang, 39 years old, a civil servant. Initial diagnosis on May 9, 1991. The patient has experienced recurrent left lower abdominal pain, loose stools, and multiple daily bowel movements for the past eight years, particularly worse in the morning. Symptoms worsen with cold or raw foods, accompanied by a sensation of cold in the abdomen, preference for warmth, fatigue, and cold limbs. The tongue is pale with a white, slippery coating, and the pulse is deep. Recent fiber colonoscopy showed no organic lesions in the colon, and barium meal indicated accelerated small intestine peristalsis.
Western diagnosis: Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis: Diarrhea. Pattern differentiation indicates lower jiao Yang deficiency and Spleen unable to warm.
Prescription:Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Dang Shen (Codonopsis) 30g each, Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea), Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia), Tai Wu Yao (Lindera), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Yun Ling (Poria) 15g each, Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) 10g each, Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia), Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel), and Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg) 6g each, Rou Gui (Cinnamon) 3g (stir-fried).
One dose per day, decocted and taken warm, for a total of five doses. The left lower abdominal cold pain was relieved, stools formed, 1-2 times daily, and energy and spirit improved. Continued treatment with warming liver decoction combined with Si Shen Wan (Four God Pills) adjusted as needed.
Expert Experience in Spleen and Stomach Diseases
“Collection of Academic Experiences in Spleen and Stomach Diseases by Renowned TCM Physician Huang Suiping”
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Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of treating Spleen and Stomach diseases. Professor Huang Suiping has accumulated rich clinical experience in treating these conditions over many years. Building on the valuable experiences and academic achievements of renowned TCM experts such as Liang Naijin, Yu Shaoyuan, and Ji Liangchen, he has developed unique TCM methods for preventing and treating Spleen and Stomach diseases. His academic thoughts include: “The Spleen and Stomach are fundamental, tonifying the earth is paramount,” “Treating the body and the disease together, harmonizing the rise and fall,” “Balancing the Spleen and Stomach, treating with six methods,” “Three-in-one, comprehensive prevention and treatment,” and “Treating people by treating diseases, treating the Spleen by treating people.” He has dedicated nearly 40 years to TCM clinical practice, accumulating extensive clinical treatment experience, especially in treating Spleen and Stomach diseases, with unique insights into chronic gastritis, precancerous lesions of the stomach, early gastric cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional diarrhea, chronic constipation, functional bloating, and functional abdominal pain, gaining significant academic influence nationwide.
❖This article is for knowledge sharing only and does not constitute a recommendation or promotion of any medication or treatment. It cannot replace professional medical advice. For any medical needs, please consult and contact a legitimate medical institution.
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Some content of this article is selected from “Collection of Academic Experiences in Spleen and Stomach Diseases by Renowned TCM Physician Huang Suiping” (published by China Traditional Chinese Medicine Press, edited by Zhang Beiping and Zhang Haiyan), with all rights reserved by the original author. This article is recommended for publication by Yue Du Zhong Yi (WeChat ID: ydzhongyi). The cover image is taken by Wang Liying, authorized for use by Yue Du Zhong Yi. The cover image is sourced from Shetu Network, with copyright belonging to the original author. If there is any infringement, please contact for deletion. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited!
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