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Ginger (Shengjiang), with a pungent and spicy flavor, is extremely hot in nature. It can facilitate the clarity of the Spirit (Shenming, referring to mental clarity), ward off epidemics, assist the generating and ascending Qi, and dispel wind pathogens. The ability of ginger to facilitate the Spirit has been recorded in ancient texts. However, using merely one or two slices to rapidly achieve this effect is impossible. One may use Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu), or Cinnabaris (Dansha); these substances mutually support each other, after which the Spirit can be facilitated and pathogenic factors expelled.

The nature of Ginger (Shengjiang) is dispersing; it can scatter wind pathogens. For minor ailments like wind-cold injury, why use Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)? Use three qian of Ginger (Shengjiang), crushed, added with two qian of Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe), and taken with boiling water. The pathogenic factors will be dispersed immediately; truly a miraculous prescription.

Someone asks: "Ginger induces sweating and should not be taken frequently, is this true?" I reply: "Ginger can be taken in all four seasons, but excessive consumption should be avoided. Excessive intake scatters Zheng Qi (Upright Qi); it does more than just induce sweating."

Someone asks: "Ginger is pungent and dispersing; since it can scatter Qi, it seems unsuitable for frequent use. However, excessive use injures Zheng Qi (Upright Qi), while moderate use causes no harm. One should not avoid it excessively to the point of missing its benefits. In cases of occasional Yin-cold invasion, such as cold extremities (Jishou Jueni), and abdominal pain circling the abdomen that cannot stop, it is acceptable to use large amounts of Ginger (Shengjiang). Crush it, stir-fry until hot, and apply externally to the heart and abdomen to dispel internal cold."

Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) is pungent, while Roasted Ginger (Paojiang) is bitter. Both are warm and extremely hot in nature, half-floating and half-sinking, representing Yang within Yin. Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is used to disperse wind-cold-damp bi, nasal congestion, headache, and fever-causing pathogens; Paojiang (Roasted Ginger) is used to regulate chronic cold conditions and phlegm associated with cholera-like abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Generally, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) treats exterior syndromes, while Paojiang (Roasted Ginger) warms the Middle Jiao. The reason Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) treats the exterior is that it moves freely without retaining, scattering pathogens outward. The reason Paojiang (Roasted Ginger) warms the Middle is that it remains stationary without moving, securing Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) internally. Although ginger is extremely hot and pungently dispersing, capable of both expelling pathogens and supporting Zheng Qi (Upright Qi), does processing really dictate different indications? While Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) disperses pathogens, it inherently possesses warming properties for the Middle. While Paojiang (Roasted Ginger) secures Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) internally, it inherently possesses efficacy for treating the exterior. However, Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) disperses more than it warms, whereas Paojiang (Roasted Ginger) secures more than it disperses.

Someone asks: "When Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is used in Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) to assist Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to achieve success, is there a profound meaning?" I reply: "There is no profound meaning; Zhang Zhongjing did not employ it in this manner."

Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) regulates the Middle Jiao. Although Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is a herb for regulating the Middle Jiao, its flavor and nature differ from the warm-hot nature of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata). Therefore, the pungent-heat of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is added. Being of the same nature as Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), it specifically protects the Middle Jiao. Consequently, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) adheres to its similar nature and does not float upward. Together, they drive out cold in the Middle Jiao, achieving the function of strengthening the Spleen and restoring Yang.

Someone asks: "In the Treatise on Cold Damage, there is Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction). Is the rationale for using Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) the same as in Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction)?" I reply: "Although Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) is used in Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction), seemingly similar to Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), the meaning is actually different. Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) regulates the Middle Jiao; Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction) treats the Lower Jiao. Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) leads Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) directly into the deepest Yin, specifically dispelling cold within the abdomen, while neglecting cold pathogens on the skin and exterior. Adding Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), which moves freely without staying, is like a general personally attacking the enemy's nest, while subordinate officers raid the periphery. Naturally, the interior and exterior become orderly, and distant areas are secured. If only Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) were used, success might still be achieved, but it would attack one area while losing another. This is why Zhang Zhongjing must add Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) so they act together to drive out pathogens."

Someone asks: "Sini Tang (Four Reversals Decoction) also uses Ganjiang (Dried Ginger). Is the rationale different?" The use of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) in Sini Tang (Four Reversals Decoction) differs from the previous two contexts. Sini Tang (Four Reversals Decoction) is for rescuing reversals (Ni). To rescue rebellious Qi, mutual assistance among herbs is required. Thus, Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) are used as Sovereign herbs, and Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) must be used as Minister/Assistant herbs; otherwise, rebellious Qi cannot be rapidly reversed.

Someone asks: "Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is used in Bitong Tang (Unblock the Pulse Decoction) to unblock the pulse. I fear it scatters Qi, causing the pulse to scatter with the Qi. How then can it unblock the pulse?" Alas! The pulse is not unblocked by Qi alone; what else could unblock it? Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is originally not an herb for unblocking the pulse; its value lies precisely in unblocking Qi. When Qi is unblocked, the pulse becomes unblocked. The reason the pulse is blocked is due to cold coagulation, not Qi exhaustion. Using Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) to scatter cold, once the cold is scattered, how could the pulse Qi remain blocked?

Someone asks: "Since Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) can unblock Qi, using it alone should suffice. Why add Congbai (Allii Fistulosus Bulbus)?" I reply: "Congbai (Allii Fistulosus Bulbus) also has a dispersing nature. Using Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) alone risks having sufficient Qi-unblocking but insufficient pulse-unblocking. Using Congbai (Allii Fistulosus Bulbus) alone risks having sufficient pulse-unblocking but insufficient Qi-unblocking. Used together, Qi is unblocked without injuring the pulse, and the pulse is unblocked without injuring Qi. They mutually assist to achieve success. Why worry about injuring Qi?"

Someone asks: "When Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is stir-fried and added to Spleen-strengthening formulas, it is said to tonify the Spleen to generate Qi. Is this correct?" I reply: "Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is warm and hot, inherently beneficial to Spleen Qi. Why must it be stir-fried to tonify Earth and generate Qi? The nature of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) is moving; the Spleen Qi receives its benefit but is not solely dependent on it. Once processed (stir-fried), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) becomes stationary and does not move, remaining exclusively in the Spleen, preventing other meridians from diverting its effects. Naturally, it is more effective than when used raw."