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Plant fresh ginger in the soil. After autumn, dig it up, peel off the skin, and dry it to obtain Ganjiang (Dried Ginger). Plant the sprouts growing on the ginger in the soil. After autumn, dig them up to harvest the new ginger grown that year, which is called Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger).

Therefore, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is the mother ginger, and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is the offspring ginger; Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is old and mature, while Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is tender and young. Since Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is tender ginger, its pungent taste and warm nature are inferior to those of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), but its vitalizing and ascending qi is superior to that of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger). Thus, it can penetrate the exterior and induce sweating. When used together with Dazao (Jujube), it is good at harmonizing Ying-Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi). This is likely due to borrowing the sweet and moderating property of Dazao (Jujube) to prevent the medicine from penetrating the exterior too quickly as sweat, allowing it instead to circulate between Ying and Wei, thereby harmonizing them. The pungent dispersing power of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is good at opening phlegm and regulating Qi, stopping vomiting, and expelling all kinds of external pathogenic factors. If only the peel of the ginger is used, its warming property is slightly reduced, but it becomes good at promoting urination. It can resolve the toxicity of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and various toxic mushrooms or foods. Added in small amounts to food seasonings, it can serve as a stomach-strengthening and appetite-enhancing ingredient. Those suffering from sores and ulcers should be aware that consuming it may lead to the growth of malignant flesh (bad tissue).

Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root): Pungent in taste, extremely hot in nature. It is the primary herb for supplementing Yuan Yang (Primal Yang). Its force can ascend and descend, reach internally and disperse externally. It can open and unblock any congealed cold and entrenched chill accumulated in the Zang-Fu organs, adhering to the sinews and bones, or obstructing the meridians and blood vessels. Within its warming and unblocking action, it also possesses strong astringent properties. Therefore, it treats excessive sweating leading to Wang Yang (Collapse of Yang) (Note: Excessive sweating can lead to either Collapse of Yang or Collapse of Yin. Collapse of Yang presents with a cool body, while Collapse of Yin presents with a hot body; these must be carefully distinguished clinically. For collapse of Yang due to cold, Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) should be combined with Yurou (Corni Fructus) and Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma); for collapse of Yin due to heat, Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) should be combined with Yurou (Corni Fructus) and Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma)), cold intestines causing diarrhea, deficiency of Yang in the Lower Jiao leading to wandering of Yin, and cold essence causing spontaneous emission. Commentators state that it is good at supplementing Mingmen Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire of the Gate of Life). Taking it can accelerate heart pulse beating, indicating that it greatly benefits both Jun Huo (Monarch Fire/Heart Fire) and Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire/Kidney Yang).

When planted in the ground, the lateral roots growing from the original seed in the same year are called Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root), while the original seed itself becomes Wutou (Aconiti Radix). The heating power of Wutou (Aconiti Radix) is less than that of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root), but its dispersing and unblocking power is superior. Therefore, in *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet), Wutou Tang (Cocklebur Decoction) is used to treat Li Jie Feng (Joint Bi Syndrome characterized by severe pain); Wutou Chishizhi Wan (Aconite and Red Talc Pill) is used for chest pain radiating to the back and back pain radiating to the chest; and Wutou Jian (Aconite Decoction) and Wutou Guizhi Tang (Aconite and Cinnamon Twig Decoction) are used for Han Shan (Cold Hernia). If no lateral roots grow after planting, and only the main root grows large, resembling a single-clove garlic without cloves, it is named Tianxiong (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata). Because its force does not spread laterally, its warming and tonifying power is greater, allowing it to stand alone as "Tianxiong" (Heavenly Hero). The Wutou (Aconiti Radix) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) sold in pharmacies today, which are large and round slices, are indeed Tianxiong (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata). They are slightly darker in color than ordinary Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root), likely because their potent force causes a slight change in color. Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root), Wutou (Aconiti Radix), and Tianxiong (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) are all incompatible with Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma).

[Medical Case] A young woman complained of fullness and irritability in the Upper Jiao, inability to eat, hardness around the umbilicus, and amenorrhea for two months. Her pulses were wiry and thin on both sides. Zhang Zhongjing stated that a double wiry pulse indicates Cold, and a single wiry pulse indicates Fluid retention. Given this pulse presentation, there is undoubtedly Cold-Fluid above and Cold accumulation below. Her irritability is caused by Cold Qi overflowing in the abdomen, forcing Yuan Yang (Primal Yang) to float upward. She was prescribed Li Yin Tang (Regulate Fluids Decoction), with Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) removed and 3 qian of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) added. Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) in the formula was changed to 5 qian. After one dose, the fullness and irritability improved significantly. After another dose, she could eat and felt significant coldness in her abdomen. Consequently, Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) was removed, and the dosage of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) was increased to 5 qian. Later, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) was halved, and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) was increased to 8 qian. After taking more than ten doses, she had bowel movements four to five times daily, passing mostly white, cold accumulations. The decoction continued to be taken once daily. After five days of this regimen, the cold accumulations were completely expelled, and bowel movements stopped naturally. Upon re-examination, her pulse showed a slippery quality, particularly pronounced in the Chi (Cun) position, suggesting pregnancy. She was advised to stop medication. She eventually gave birth at the expected time. Although Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) is traditionally said to cause miscarriage, in this case, despite taking such a large amount, the fetus remained safe and sound. This truly exemplifies the principle: "If there is an existing pathology, there will be no harm [to the healthy body], nor will there be harm [to the fetus]" (You gu wu yun, yi wu yun ye).