State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps

Pharm Name

Zingiberis Rhizoma

Common Name

Ginger (dried)

Category

Warm Interior and Expel Cold

Ingredients

Taste

Acrid

Pao Zhi

Temperature

Hot

Action / Indication

1. Warms the middle and expels cold: for warming the Spleen and Stomach both in conditions of excess due to externally-contracted cold, as well as cold from deficiency due to insufficiency of the yang qi. Also dispels wind and damp- ness that seep into the lower burner. 
2. Rescues devastated yang and expels interior cold: for devastated yang with such signs as a very weak pulse and cold limbs. 
3. Warms the Lungs and transforms thin mucus: because this herb warms the Spleen and dries dampness while simultaneously scattering cold in the Lungs, it is used for Lung cold with expectoration of thin, watery, or white sputum. 
4. Warms the channels and stops bleeding: for cold from deficiency that may present with hemorrhage of various types, especially uterine bleeding. It is used in treating hemorrhage only if the bleeding is chronic and pale in color, and is accompanied by cold limbs, ashen white face, and a soggy, thin pulse. For bleeding, usually Zingiberis Rhizoma preparatum (pao jiang) is used. 

Treatment Principles

Contraindication

Contraindicated for heat in the blood, and yin deficiency heat. Use caution and very low dose only, during pregnancy.

Dosages

3-12g

Meridians

HT, LU, SP, ST

Tom's Comment

1. Gan Jiang is often combined with Fu Zi to address patterns attributed to Devastated Yang.
2. Gan Jiang is the marquee herb to address Middle Burner Cold conditions.
3. Gan Jiang does not have the same functions as Sheng Jiang, even though they are of the same plant.

Source

Formula Type