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Among herbs that are pungent, warm, and slippery in nature, only *Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus* (Xiebai) is like this. It is best at unblocking the Yang Qi of the chest and dissipating stagnation in the Large Intestine. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing uses Xiebai to treat Chest Bi (Thoracic Obstruction Syndrome), and also uses it for dysentery with a sensation of heaviness in the anus. However, Chest Bi is characterized by deficient Yang, whereas dysentery can be either cold or hot; Xiebai is merely borrowed for its ability to dredge and relieve stagnation. Thus, the *Wai Tai Mi Yao* records treatments using Xiebai for both cold and hot dysentery.

Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) is the young ginger sprouted from old ginger, while Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) is processed from old ginger. Therefore, Gan Jiang absorbs more of the Qi of Autumn, possessing functions of both warming and astringing. Sheng Jiang absorbs more of the Qi of Summer, with its primary function being lateral dispersion. Gan Jiang warms the Yin of the Taiyin Spleen, while Sheng Jiang disseminates the Yang of the Yangming Stomach. One is a Zang organ and the other a Fu organ, reflecting treatment distinctions based on mother-son relationships.

Sheng Jiang has a thin Qi and is good at venting; it can communicate from the Stomach to the Lung to disperse pathogens. It is indicated for nasal congestion due to external contraction, belching, vomiting, Chest Bi, and condensed phlegm and Qi stagnation in the throat. However, it cannot treat cough. In Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Sheng Jiang is removed when cough is present; in the Phlegm-Fluids category, formulas mentioning cough also generally exclude Sheng Jiang. This is because Sheng Jiang is purely pungent and dispersing, which may damage Lung Qi and fail to stop cough. In Taiyang disease where the exterior is unresolved accompanied by cough, even Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) does not use Sheng Jiang, let alone formulas for other meridians. However, in cases of cough in Fei Wei (Lung Withered Disease), Sheng Jiang is used. Here, the Lung has excess pathogenic factors, unlike Taiyang exterior diseases, so it is acceptable to use it together with Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) to vent Lung pathogens. Hou Po Ma Huang Tang contains Ma Huang but no Sheng Jiang because a floating pulse indicates easy outward expulsion of pathogens; Ma Huang already disperses the exterior, Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) clears heat, and Gan Jiang should be used to warm and astringe. Ze Qi Tang lacks Ma Huang but uses Sheng Jiang directly because a deep pulse indicates latent fluid retention inside. The bitter-cold properties of Ze Qi (Phytolaccae Radix) and Zi Shen (Bistortae Rhizoma) drive pathogens downward, while the pungent-sweet properties of Sheng Jiang and Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) serve to... [Text incomplete in source].

One might ask: Xiao Qing Long Tang, She Gan Ma Huang Tang (Belamcanda and Ephedra Decoction), and Zhen Wu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) all involve fluid retention causing cough, yet one uses Gan Jiang, one uses Sheng Jiang, and one uses both. Why are their therapeutic effects so different? The answer is: This is precisely the aspect of formula rationale that requires careful investigation. In Xiao Qing Long Tang, external cold and internal fluids contend. Ma Huang and Gui Zhi disperse external cold, while Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) and Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) eliminate internal fluids. With Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) assisting Xi Xin and Ban Xia, water qi will exit via urination. This is a method of separating interior and exterior; it is inappropriate to overly disturb the Lung, causing interior and exterior pathogens to intertwine. Therefore, Gan Jiang is used to warm the Lung, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) to astringe the Lung, and Sheng Jiang, which depletes Lung Qi, is excluded. She Gan Ma Huang Tang presents with a sound in the throat like a frog croaking, caused by fire scorching phlegm so it cannot descend, creating noise. Initially, there must be wind-cold external pathogens invading the Lung, causing cough and rebellious Qi. This resembles Xiao Qing Long Tang but differs essentially. The former uses Ma Huang to release Taiyang exterior pathogens, requiring Gui Zhi; the latter uses Ma Huang only to search out latent pathogens in the Lung, without needing Gui Zhi. The former uses pungent herbs and Ban Xia to clear fluids, requiring lung warming, hence Gan Jiang is used; the latter uses pungent herbs and Ban Xia to clear fluids, requiring lung clearing, hence She Gan (Belamcandae Rhizoma) is used. The former guides water from the epigastrium out through urine, adding Shao Yao; the latter disperses rebellious phlegm in the throat, adding Sheng Jiang. Generally, Gan Jiang not only increases Lung heat but is also not a dispersing agent for the Lung. Zhen Wu Tang results from excessive sweating, stirring up Kidney Water rising upward, causing palpitations, dizziness, and tremors. Without underlying deficiency of True Yang, this would not occur. Named Zhen Wu, it implies heat is not the primary concern, but cold water must be urgently suppressed. Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) tonifies Yang, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) strengthens Earth, sufficiently suppressing cold water. To drive overflowing water back to its channel, Fu Ling (Poria) and Shao Yao are indispensable. To scatter rebellious Qi and expel Yin pathogens, thereby rotating the pathological mechanism, Sheng Jiang is particularly irreplaceable. If cold water attacking the Lung causes cough, it is treated with Lung cough medicines plus Xi Xin, Gan Jiang, and Wu Wei Zi. Cough is not the main disease here, distinguishing it from Xiao Qing Long Tang; thus, in Xiao Qing Long Tang, Xi Xin and Gan Jiang are each 3 liang, whereas here they are only 1 liang each. Sheng Jiang is a crucial herb for this syndrome and is not omitted just because Gan Jiang is present.

Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang (Fresh Ginger Drain the Epigastrium Decoction) uses both Sheng Jiang and Gan Jiang: Sheng Jiang treats dry belching with food odor, while Gan Jiang treats abdominal borborygmus and diarrhea. Tong Mai Si Ni Tang (Pulse-Unblocking Counter-Yang Decoction) uses Gan Jiang and adds Sheng Jiang: Gan Jiang stops diarrhea and unblocks pulses, while Sheng Jiang dispels cold and treats vomiting.

Sheng Jiang removes foul odors and clarifies the spirit; its actions are entirely focused on the Lung and Stomach. Since the Stomach and Spleen are connected by membranes, it also treats Qi-level disorders of the Spleen, such as in Hou Po Sheng Jiang Gan Cao Ban Xia Ren Shen Tang (Magnolia Bark, Fresh Ginger, Licorice, Pinellia, and Ginseng Decoction) treating abdominal distension. It also treats Blood-level disorders, such as in Dang Gui Sheng Jiang Yang Rou Tang (Angelica Sinensis, Fresh Ginger, and Mutton Decoction) treating abdominal pain. The subtlety of directing medicinal forces lies not in a single herb but in the entire formula; therefore, formulating is more difficult than identifying herbs.

The meaning of combining Ginger and Jujube to harmonize Ying and Wei, and the principle of using more Ginger than Jujube, are detailed under the entry for Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus). When formulas contain Sheng Jiang but no Da Zao, Zhang Zhongjing typically combines them with Gui Zhi, Ban Xia, Ju Hong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum), etc., focusing on unblocking Yang. Thus, the sweet and cloying nature of Da Zao is avoided.