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The perennial root is called "Mother Ginger".
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Resolves the toxicity of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Langdang (Daturae Semen), and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records: Long-term consumption removes foul odor and clarifies the mind (Shenming).

[Invention] Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is pungent and warm with a dispersing action; it enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. It disperses wind-cold, stops vomiting, transforms phlegm-fluids, eliminates distension and fullness, and treats conditions such as headache from Shanghan (Cold Damage), nasal congestion, cough with rebellious Qi, and vomiting. Its pungency disperses pathogens, which aligns with *Bencao Jing*'s description of removing foul odors and clarifying the mind, preventing pathogenic turbid Qi from injuring healthy Qi. When used together with Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), it promotes the movement of Spleen fluids and harmonizes Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi. In herbal formulas, its use prevents fluids from boiling away excessively; it is not solely for exterior dispersion. After baking (Wei), its nature becomes descending rather than ascending, stopping abdominal pain and diarrhea, supporting Spleen Qi, and dissipating stagnation; thus, it is used in Xiaoyao San. When boiled with Fengmi (Honey), it treats cough with rebellious Qi and phlegm-knot due to wind-heat, utilizing the moistening property of honey to moderate the pungent-dispersing nature of ginger. Fresh ginger juice penetrates the collaterals extensively; combined with Zhuli (Bambusa Textilis Caulis Succus), it clears heat-phlegm; combined with Banxia, it treats cold-phlegm. For stroke, heatstroke, or sudden illness caused by mountain mist and toxic vapors, administering ginger juice mixed with Tongbian (Child's Urine) provides immediate relief. Ginger opens phlegm and directs Qi downward; Tongbian descends fire. Zhen Quan stated: Juice mixed with honey treats middle-jiao heat causing vomiting, rebellious Qi, and inability to eat; this utilizes ginger to stop vomiting and honey to harmonize the Stomach. Ginger is the supreme herb for vomiting, primarily because its pungency disperses. Vomiting results from stagnant rebellious Qi; ginger can move Yang and disperse Qi. Ganshengjiang (Sun-dried Ginger) warms the Middle Jiao and mainly treats cough; it is suitable for distension, Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome), persistent vomiting, and abdominal pain. Its nature is more stabilizing than Shengjiang but milder than Ganjiang (Dried Ginger); powdered and taken with wine, it treats hemiplegic headache. Jiangpi (Ginger Peel) is pungent and cool, eliminating edema of the four limbs and abdominal distension/fullness; it is used in Wupi San. Ancient texts warn against eating ginger in autumn as it depletes Qi, especially new ginger. It should be avoided by those with eye diseases and hemorrhoids. Consumption by patients with carbuncles and sores may cause malignant flesh growth. Pregnant women craving ginger may give birth to children with supernumerary digits.

The tender variety is called Baijiang (White Ginger).
Pungent, hot, non-toxic. Can be used raw or processed until black. Processing method: Slice thickly, roast over fierce fire in an iron pot. Do not stir frequently. When the bottom of the pot ignites, add a little water and quickly turn the slices several times. Place in a jar without releasing steam. Once cooled, the interior and exterior become black, yet the medicinal nature is no longer fierce.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records: Mainly treats chest fullness, cough with rebellious Qi, warms the Middle Jiao, stops bleeding, induces sweating, expels wind-damp bi-syndrome, and treats intestinal dysentery. Raw form is particularly effective.

[Invention] Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) embodies correct Yang Qi. Although potent, it is non-toxic. Its original flavor is pungent, but becomes bitter after processing, specifically dispersing deficient fire. It treats Interior Cold with a fixed action, unlike Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), which moves without stabilizing. Raw Ganjiang assists Yang, eliminates deep-seated cold in Zang-Fu organs, expels cold from all meridians, treats cold pain in the abdomen, Huoluan with distension, Qi stagnation in the skin, stops vomiting/rebellious Qi, and treats abdominal pain due to cold invasion. For Kidney Yang deficiency with impending pulse extinction, using Heifuzi (Black Prepared Aconite) as a guide, it is used in Lizhong Tang because it warms the Spleen. It is used in Sini Tang because it restores Yang. Raw form expels cold pathogens and releases the exterior, suitable for chest fullness, cough with rebellious Qi, sweating, and wind-damp bi-syndrome. Processed form removes Stomach cold and stabilizes the Middle Jiao, warming the Middle Jiao and stopping bleeding, suitable for intestinal dysentery. Observe that Xiao Qinglong Tang and Sini Tang both use raw forms, while Gancao Ganjiang Tang uses only processed form. Lizhong Wan does not specify processing, but within the principle of warming the Middle, one may adjust based on urgency. However, excessive use dissipates Yuan Qi. Pungency disperses, representing "Strong Fire consumes Qi" (Zhuang Huo Shi Qi). Small doses collect deficient Yang and gently warm, representing "Small Fire generates Qi" (Shao Huo Sheng Qi). Combined with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), it warms the Lung; combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), it warms the Stomach; combined with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it warms the meridians. For blood-deficiency fever or severe postpartum fever, it must be processed until black. For cases of blood loss with pale complexion, dull luster, and soggy pulse, the pungent-warm nature of Ganjiang is suitable to benefit blood, employing the method of "treating heat with heat" (Re Yin Re Yong), a counter-treatment approach. It enters the Lung to promote Qi flow, enters the Kidney to dry dampness, and enters the Liver to guide blood-invigorating herbs to generate blood, embodying the principle of breaking old blood to generate new blood and Yang generating Yin for those who have lost blood. If cooling herbs are overused and bleeding persists with a tight pulse, indicating acute Yang deficiency where Yin has no attachment, adding Paojiang (Processed Ginger) and Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice) is appropriate. It is contraindicated for Yin deficiency with heat or reckless bleeding due to blood-heat, as it disperses Qi and moves Blood.