Library

(See Liver section)

(See Liver section)

[Harm] See the preceding entry on Ganjiang (Dried Ginger).
[Benefit] Its acrid-warm drying and dispersing action is not intense; it stops vomiting and harmonizes the middle, making it safest for warming the Spleen and Stomach. When used with Jujube, it is advisable to use Wei Jiang (Baked Ginger).
[Preparation] Take fresh ginger, wash it clean, wrap it in coarse paper, moisten it, and bake it in fire ash until cooked. Slice it for medicinal use.

[Harm] It is acrid and warm, a substance that disperses Qi. It is contraindicated in cases of Qi and Blood deficiency with internal heat. Contemporary physicians often combine it with Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) to treat various Qi disorders in women. However, conditions vary in deficiency/excess and cold/heat. If caused by sudden cold or stagnant Qi, its use is appropriate; if caused by deficient Qi or hot Qi, its use will cause harm. Therefore, it is unsuitable for women with early menstruation, scanty dark urine, cough, internal heat, thirst, dry mouth, bitter taste in the tongue, insomnia, and all diseases characterized by Yin deficiency and internal heat.
[Benefit] Enters the Lung, Spleen, Stomach, and Bladder meridians; unblocks and warms the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). With its acrid, warm, and fragrant aroma, it directs Qi downward and warms the middle. It treats attacking cold Qi in the Bladder, pain due to accumulation and stagnation in the chest and abdomen, epidemic miasma (Tianxing Yizhang), and injuries from ghosts or insects.
[Preparation] Harvested in the eighth month. The root has patterns resembling chariot wheels and looks like linked pearls. Those from Tiantai are white and fragrant but less potent than those from Nanhai. Soak in wine overnight, then stir-fry. Some are also ground into powder for use.

[Harm] Its aroma is pungent and ascending. Although it can stop vomiting and treat retching, it is strictly contraindicated when vomiting is due to Stomach heat. It is forbidden in cases of excessive Fire in the Middle Jiao, Yin deficiency with hyperactive Fire, warm diseases, febrile diseases, excess pathogenic factors in the Yangming Stomach causing vomiting and distension.
[Benefit] Acrid and slightly warm; warms the middle, opens the appetite, moves Qi, and stops vomiting. Endowed with clear, harmonious, and pungent properties, it treats severe colic in the heart and abdomen, cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea, and is an essential herb for directing Qi in the Spleen and Lung. The stem is better at moving Qi, though less aromatic and pungent.
[Preparation] Originates from Jiaozhou and Guangzhou. The stem is square with nodes and leaves, slightly resembling eggplant leaves. Ancient texts used only the leaves. Now stems and branches are also used because leaves are frequently adulterated. Harvest in the sixth and seventh months, sun-dry to retain fragrance.

[Harm] Its aroma is fragrant, but its nature is inherently dry and hot. It should be avoided in cases of blood dryness with heat, as well as metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, and turbid discharge. It is contraindicated when vomiting is due to heat rather than cold; when Qi rebellion is due to anger rather than deficiency; when dribbling urination is due to fluid depletion, essence deficiency, and internal heat rather than Kidney Qi deficiency and cold; and when diarrhea is due to sudden pouring of damp-heat rather than Spleen Qi deficiency and intestinal slippage. All such cases require avoidance.
[Benefit] Tonifies the Kidney and supports the Spleen and Stomach; warms the middle to promote digestion; controls saliva; reduces urination; calms the Spirit; and stops turbid discharge. Its acridity opens and disperses, resolving stagnation and promoting free flow. It is a herb that promotes Yang and retreats Yin.
[Preparation] Originates from Lingnan. It resembles a date pit. The kernel is stir-fried with salt water. It ripens in the fifth and sixth months. The seed resembles a brush tip, pointed at both ends, about 7-8 fen long.