Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) is the dried rhizome of the ginger plant, Zingiber officinale Rosc. It is primarily produced in Sichuan, Guizhou, Hubei, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Harvested in winter, the roots are cleaned of fibrous roots and soil, then sun-dried or dried at low temperatures. Freshly sliced and dried or low-temperature dried pieces are referred to as “Gan Jiang Pian (Dried Ginger Slices).” The best quality is characterized by a fine powdery texture and strong aroma.
【Characteristics】
Gan Jiang appears as flat, block-like pieces with finger-like branches, measuring 3-7 cm in length and 1-2 cm in thickness. The surface is grayish-yellow or light gray-brown, rough, with longitudinal wrinkles and distinct nodes. Branching areas often retain scale leaves, and the tips of branches have stem scars or buds. The texture is firm, with a cross-section that is yellowish-white or grayish-white, powdery or granular, with distinct annular patterns in the inner skin layer and scattered yellow oil spots. It has a fragrant, unique aroma and a spicy taste.
Gan Jiang Pian consists of irregular longitudinal or oblique slices, with finger-like branches, measuring 1-6 cm in length, 1-2 cm in width, and 0.2-0.4 cm in thickness. The outer skin is grayish-yellow or light yellow-brown, rough, with longitudinal wrinkles and distinct nodes. The cut surface is grayish-yellow or grayish-white, slightly powdery, with many longitudinal fibers, some appearing hair-like. The texture is firm, with a fibrous cross-section. It has a fragrant, unique aroma and a spicy taste.
【Properties and Meridian Affinities】
Spicy, hot. Enters the Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, Heart, and Lung meridians.
【Functions and Indications】
Warms the middle, disperses cold, restores Yang, opens the meridians, warms the lungs, and transforms phlegm. Used for abdominal cold pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cold limbs with weak pulse, and cough due to cold phlegm.
【Effectiveness Analysis】
Gan Jiang is spicy, hot, and dry, primarily entering the Spleen and Stomach, excelling in warming the middle, dispersing cold, and strengthening Spleen Yang, making it a principal herb for warming the middle Jiao. It is suitable for cold pain in the abdomen due to external cold invasion or Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency.
Gan Jiang is spicy and hot, entering the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians, with the ability to warm Yang, restore Yang, and open the meridians. It can be used to treat Heart and Kidney Yang deficiency, with symptoms of Yang collapse and cold phlegm obstructing the meridians, leading to a weak pulse. Ancient texts state, “Without Gan Jiang, Fu Zi (Aconite) cannot generate heat,” hence it is often used together with Fu Zi.
Gan Jiang is spicy and hot, entering the Lung meridian, effectively warming the lungs, dispersing cold, and transforming phlegm, suitable for cough due to cold phlegm, cold body, and excessive clear phlegm.
【Compatibility Applications】
1. Gan Jiang and Huang Lian (Coptis) Gan Jiang is spicy, hot, and dry, dispersing cold pathogens and unblocking stagnation, with functions of warming the middle, dispersing cold, restoring Yang, and warming the lungs to transform phlegm, making it a key herb for warming the middle and dispersing cold; Huang Lian is extremely bitter and cold, capable of clearing heat and dampness. The combination of these two herbs, one hot and one cold, balances their effects, often used for conditions of upper heat and lower cold, or when food intake leads to vomiting.
2. Gan Jiang and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) Gan Jiang disperses warmth and dries dampness to eliminate the source of phlegm; Wu Wei Zi is sour and astringent, nourishing Lung metal and enriching Kidney water. The combination of these two herbs balances their properties, warming the lungs, benefiting Qi, alleviating cough, and transforming phlegm. Commonly used for cough due to cold phlegm, cold body, and excessive clear phlegm.
3. Gan Jiang and Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) Gan Jiang warms the middle, disperses cold, and transforms dampness; Hou Po is aromatic and bitter, promoting Qi and drying dampness to relieve fullness. The combination of these two herbs warms the middle and transforms dampness to eliminate cold dampness in the middle Jiao, promoting Qi to relieve bloating, effectively assisting the Spleen and Stomach. Suitable for Spleen and Stomach cold dampness conditions.
4. Gan Jiang and Gan Cao (Licorice) Gan Jiang warms the Spleen and strengthens the Stomach, while Gan Cao benefits the Spleen and tonifies Qi. The combination of these two herbs balances the hot nature of Gan Jiang with the sweet, gentle nature of Gan Cao, restoring the Yang of the middle Jiao. It can treat symptoms of Stomach cold and Spleen deficiency, such as vomiting of foamy saliva without thirst and a slippery tongue coating.
5. Gan Jiang and Xie Bai (Garlic Chives) Gan Jiang warms the middle and disperses cold, restoring Yang and opening the meridians; Xie Bai warms and unblocks Heart Yang, dispersing cold and relieving stagnation. The combination of these two herbs effectively warms and unblocks Heart Yang, dispersing cold and opening the meridians, suitable for symptoms of weak Heart Yang, cold obstruction, Qi stagnation, and chest pain or cough with phlegm.
【Differentiation Applications】
Gan Jiang vs. Jiang Tan (Ginger Charcoal) Both originate from the same plant but differ in processing methods. Gan Jiang is hot and dry, primarily used for warming the middle, dispersing cold, restoring Yang, and transforming phlegm, particularly effective for cold evil invading the middle Jiao and cold phlegm obstructing the lungs; it acts quickly and strongly, suitable for restoring Yang and reviving the pulse, commonly used for abdominal cold pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cold limbs with weak pulse, and cough due to phlegm. Jiang Tan has lost its spicy flavor, is more astringent, and is primarily used for stopping bleeding and warming the meridians; it is bitter and astringent, with a strong effect on stopping bleeding, commonly used for various types of bleeding due to deficiency and cold.
【Formula Examples】
1. Wen Pi Decoction (from Qian Jin Fang)
Ingredients: Da Huang (Rhubarb), Dang Gui (Angelica), Gan Jiang, Fu Zi (Aconite), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Mang Xiao (Mirabilite), Gan Cao.
Functions and Indications: Purges cold accumulation, warms and tonifies Spleen Yang. Suitable for Yang deficiency with cold accumulation, abdominal pain and constipation, twisting pain below the navel, persistent pain around the navel, cold hands and feet, white tongue coating, and deep, wiry, slow pulse.
2. Li Zhong Wan (from Shang Han Lun)
Ingredients: Ren Shen, Gan Jiang, Zhi Gan Cao, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes).
Functions and Indications: Warms the middle, dispels cold, tonifies Qi, and strengthens the Spleen. Suitable for Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency, with symptoms of dull abdominal pain, preference for warmth and pressure, vomiting, loose stools, fullness in the abdomen, aversion to cold, cold limbs, no thirst, pale tongue with white, moist coating, and deep, thin or slow, weak pulse; also for Yang deficiency with blood loss, symptoms of blood in stool, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, or menorrhagia, with dark, thin blood.
3. Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (from Yan Shi Xiao Er Fang Lun)
Ingredients: Pao Hei Fu Zi (Processed Aconite), Gan Jiang, Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Gan Cao.
Functions and Indications: Warms Yang, dispels cold, tonifies Qi, and strengthens the Spleen. Suitable for severe Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency, with symptoms of abdominal pain, clear diarrhea, nausea, cold limbs, or cholera with vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Da Jian Zhong Decoction (from Jin Kui Yao Lue)
Ingredients: Shu Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), Gan Jiang, Ren Shen, Jiao Yi (Honey).
Functions and Indications: Warms the middle, tonifies deficiency, and stops pain. Suitable for weak middle Yang with internal cold, presenting with severe abdominal pain, pain radiating to the chest, severe pain that moves unpredictably, or abdominal distension with palpable masses, severe vomiting, inability to eat, cold hands and feet, pale tongue, white, slippery coating, and deep, hidden, slow pulse.
END
References:
1. Clinical Medication Guidelines, 2015 Edition, Chinese Herbal Medicine Volume
2. Chinese Clinical Pharmacology Dictionary, Chinese Herbal Medicine Volume
Note: The medicinal information in this article is for educational reference only and does not represent a recommendation. All images are sourced from the internet for public dissemination. We thank the authors of the images! If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.
Author: Cheng Xiaorong, Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Zhongshan People’s Hospital, Guangdong Province
Editor: Fu Jianqing, Pharmacy Department, Shenshan Center Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Province
The above is an original article from “Lingnan Pharmacy”; reprinting requires authorization and must indicate the source, author, and reviewers.
