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[Flavor and Nature]
Pungent, slightly warm, non-toxic. The therapeutic action is floating and ascending, belonging to Yang.

[Indications]
Long-term consumption eliminates foul odors and clarifies the mind. Its functions are fourfold: it neutralizes the toxicity of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo) and Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia); it disperses wind pathogens; it warms the middle jiao and dispels dampness; and it serves as an adjunctive herb in formulas that benefit the spleen and stomach. It primarily treats headache and nasal congestion caused by cold damage (Shanghan); it unblocks the joints of the four limbs; it opens the qi mechanisms of the five zang organs and six fu organs. When used with Jujubae Fructus (Dazao), it harmonizes the spleen and stomach; when used with Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao), it warms the meridians and disperses cold. One might ask: Ginger is pungent and warm, entering the Lung meridian; why is it said to enter the "stomach gate"? The answer is: The common belief that the area below the heart is the "stomach gate" is incorrect. Below the pharyngeal gate, where solid food enters and is connected by tissue, lies the true "stomach gate." It travels along the same pathway as the Lung system, thus it can enter the Lungs and open the stomach gate. Another question arises: Why should ginger not be eaten at night, causing breath closure? The answer is: Ginger is pungent and warm, promoting dispersion and development. At night, the body's qi naturally converges; acting against this by promoting dispersion violates the Way of Heaven, hence it is unsuitable for evening consumption. Whenever traveling through valleys in the morning, holding a small piece of ginger in the mouth prevents invasion by misty, dewy, damp, and turbid pathogens, as well as malignant miasmas of the mountains. For all sudden acute conditions such as wind stroke, heat stroke, qi stagnation, poisoning, evil invasion, or dry huoluan, administering ginger juice mixed with child's urine can instantly resolve the pathogen. The phrase "not abandoning ginger food" implies that ginger can be consumed regularly to clarify the spirit; however, excessive consumption is discouraged as its pungency may disperse qi too much. Ginger should not be eaten in autumn as it causes qi leakage. In summer, fire is flourishing, and sweating is appropriate for dispersion, so ginger consumption is permitted. In autumn, Lung qi should converge, so ginger should be prohibited. Peeling ginger makes it warm; leaving the peel makes it cool.

[Flavor and Nature]
Sour, warm, non-toxic. Its action can ascend or descend, belonging to Yin with slight Yang characteristics. It enters the Blood aspect of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Qi aspect of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.

[Indications]
It consolidates scattered qi, stops coughing, supplements insufficient primordial qi, stops diarrhea and dysentery, generates body fluids, relieves thirst, strengthens Water to control Fire, anchors Yang and fortifies Yin, benefits male essence, brightens the eyes, and warms the Water Organ (Kidney). Wheezing and coughing occurring at dusk are due to floating Fire invading the Lungs; cool herbs should not be used. Only Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) can consolidate and descend this qi. Some argue that because excessive consumption causes deficient heat, it should be used to treat deficient cold of the Lung, which contradicts its heat-clearing properties. However, one must realize that its ability to consolidate Lung qi is itself a method of clearing heat; its function of tonifying the Kidney is itself a method of warming the Water Organ. Nevertheless, if external pathogens are present, it should not be used abruptly, lest it trap the pathogen inside. External pathogens must first be dispersed before using this herb, which is the proper approach. Furthermore, during the fifth and sixth lunar months, it is advisable to frequently consume Schisandra Decoction to supplement the Qi of Metal (Lung). This is because the sour flavor of Schisandra can drain Bing Fire (Fire of the Small Intestine/Pericardium) and benefit Geng Metal (Metal of the Large Intestine/Lung). Zhang Zhongjing included this herb in the Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia Root (Bawei Wan), creating the Kidney Qi Pill based on the principle of taking analogies from form and image. In summary, Schisandra possesses all five flavors. Sour and salty enter the Liver to tonify the Kidney; bitter and pungent enter the Heart to tonify the Lung; sweet enters the Central Palace to benefit the Spleen and Stomach. Above, it nourishes the source; below, it benefits Water.