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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Correction] Transferred from the Herb Section to here.
[Names] White Ginger (see below).
[Collected Explanations] Tao Hongjing said: Currently, dried ginger is only produced in Linhai and Zhang'an, made in a few villages. The ginger from Shu and Han was formerly excellent, and Jingzhou had good ginger, but none could be made into dried ginger. The method for making dried ginger is as follows: Soak in water for three days, remove the skin, place in running water for six days, scrape off the skin again, then sun-dry it. Place in a porcelain jar and ferment for three days, and it is ready.
Su Song said: The preparation method: Harvest roots, wash them in flowing water, and sun-dry them to make dried ginger. Those from Hanzhong, Wenzhou, and Chizhou are considered superior. Tao's description refers to the method for Hanzhou dried ginger.
Li Shizhen said: Dried ginger is made from mother ginger. It is now produced in Jiangxi, Xiangyang, and Junzhou. Those that are white, clean, and solid are considered superior, hence people call it "White Ginger" or "Jun Ginger." For medicinal use, it should always be processed (pao).
[Flavor and Properties] Acrid, warm, non-toxic. Chu Cheng said: Bitter, acrid. Li Hao (Haogu) said: Greatly hot.
Meng Shen (Gong) said: Long-term consumption causes dim vision. Its other properties are the same as fresh ginger.
Li Shizhen said: *Taiqing Waishu* states: Pregnant women should not consume dried ginger, as it may cause fetal resorption. This is likely due to its hot and acrid-dispersing nature.
[Therapeutic Actions] Chest fullness, cough with rebellious Qi ascending, warming the middle Jiao to stop bleeding, inducing sweating, expelling wind-damp bi syndrome, dysentery. Raw form is especially effective (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Cold abdominal pain, sudden evil cholera with distension, various toxins from wind pathogens, Qi knotting in the skin, stopping spitting of blood (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treating pain and coldness in the lower back and kidneys, cold Qi, breaking blood stasis and expelling wind, unblocking the four limbs and joints, opening the five Zang and six Fu organs, disseminating all collaterals, removing wind-toxin and cold-bi, frequent urination at night (Zhen Quan).
Eliminating phlegm and descending Qi, treating muscle cramps with vomiting and diarrhea, cold abdomen and viscera, regurgitation and dry retching, blood stasis and traumatic injuries, stopping epistaxis, resolving cold and heat toxins, stimulating appetite, digesting retained food (Tang Dynasty - Daming). Mainly treating cold痞 (pi-syndrome) in the epigastrium, chronic redness of the eyes (Li Hao/Haogu).
[Inventions and Elucidations] Zhang Yuansu said: Dried ginger has a thin Qi and strong Flavor, half-sinking and half-floating, capable of ascending and descending; it is Yin within Yang. He also said: Greatly acrid and greatly hot, it is Yang within Yang.
Its uses are fourfold: 1. Uniting the Heart and assisting Yang; 2. Removing deep-seated cold and stubborn chill from the Zang-Fu; 3. Dispersing cold Qi from all meridians; 4. Treating abdominal pain caused by cold invasion. When there is no Yang in the Kidney and the pulse Qi is about to vanish, using Black Aconite (*Hei Fuzi*) as a guide, decocted in water, it is named *Jiang Fu Tang*. It also treats Cold Evil in the Middle Jiao where Cold prevails, dispersing it with its acridity. It can also tonify the Lower Jiao, which is why it is used in *Si Ni Tang*. Dried ginger is naturally acrid; after processing, it becomes slightly bitter, thus retaining rather than moving, enabling it to treat interior cold, unlike Aconite which moves without retaining. It is used in *Li Zhong Tang* because it restores Yang.
Li Gao (Dongyuan) said: Dried ginger is acrid when raw and bitter when processed, belonging to Yang. Raw, it expels cold pathogens and releases the exterior; processed, it removes stomach cold and secures the interior. Overuse dissipates Yuan Qi; since acridity disperses, this is the principle of "Strong Fire Consumes Qi," so it must be moderated with Raw Licorice (*Sheng Gancao*). Its acrid-hot nature disperses interior cold; combined with Schisandra (*Wuweizi*), it warms the Lungs; combined with Ginseng (*Renshen*), it warms the Stomach.
Li Hao (Haogu) said: Dried ginger is a Qi-level herb for the Heart and Spleen meridians, thus it tonifies insufficient Heart Qi. Some say: Dried ginger is acrid-hot yet described as tonifying the Spleen. In *Li Zhong Tang*, it is said to drain rather than tonify. Why? Because acrid-hot herbs dry dampness, draining cold-damp pathogenic Qi from the Spleen, not draining healthy Qi. It is also said: Using dried ginger to treat the Middle Jiao must lead to rebellion upward (hyperactivity of fire), which one must know.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Dried ginger enters the Lung to benefit Lung Qi, enters the Kidney to dry Lower Jiao dampness, enters the Liver channel to guide Blood herbs to generate Blood, and when combined with Yin-tonifying herbs, it guides Blood herbs into the Qi level to generate Blood. Thus, it is used for fever due to Blood deficiency and high fever postpartum. To stop spitting blood or bloody dysentery, it must be charred. If there is Blood loss with pale complexion, dull luster, and a soggy pulse, this indicates severe Cold. One should use the acrid-warm nature of dried ginger to benefit Blood and its great heat to warm the channels.
Li Shizhen said: Dried ginger can guide Blood herbs into the Blood level and Qi herbs into the Qi level. It can eliminate evil and nourish the new, embodying the principle of "Yang generates Yin." Therefore, it is used for Blood deficiency; those suffering from hematemesis, epistaxis, or hematochezia who have Yin but no Yang should also use it. This is the method of "treating heat with heat," a compliant treatment approach.
[Attached Formulas] Thirteen old formulas, fifteen new formulas.
For Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold, inability to eat, wasting over time leading to consumptive disease: Use Wenzhou White Dried Ginger, boil thoroughly in rice vinegar water, take out, bake dry, and grind into powder. Mix with aged barn rice porridge to make pills the size of wu zi. Take 30-50 pills each time with plain boiled water. The effect is miraculous. (Su Song *Tu Jing*).
For Spleen and Stomach weakness, reduced appetite, susceptibility to injury and difficult digestion, lack of strength and emaciation: Grind dried ginger finely to 4 liang. Cut white malt sugar into blocks, melt in a water bath, mix with the ginger powder to make pills the size of wu zi. Take 30 pills on an empty stomach with rice drink. (*Shi Bian Fang*).
For dizziness and vomiting due to cold Stomach generating phlegm: Use Sichuan Dried Ginger (processed) 2.5 qian, Licorice (stir-fried) 1.2 qian. Add 1.5 cups of water, decoct until half remains, and drink. Effective after repeated use. (*Chuan Xin Shi Yong Fang*).
For Heart-Spleen cold pain, warming Stomach and eliminating phlegm: *Er Jiang Wan*: Equal parts Dried Ginger and Galangal Root. Process, grind to powder, bind with paste to make pills the size of wu zi. Take 30 pills after meals with pig skin soup. (*He Ji Ju Fang*).
For sudden Heart Qi pain: Dried ginger powder, take 1 qian with rice drink. (*Waitai Miyao*).
Yin-Yang Exchange Disease after Shanghan: If a woman contracts illness after recovery but within 100 days, she must not have intercourse with men. Symptoms include spasms, curled hands and feet, and agonizing abdominal pain. In men, it is called Yin Exchange; in women, Yang Exchange. Rapid sweating will cure it.
If four days have passed, it is incurable: Use 4 liang of dried ginger, grind to powder. Take 0.5 liang each time, mixed with plain boiled water. Cover with clothes and blankets to induce sweating; once hands and feet extend, the patient recovers. (*Shanghan Lei Yao* formula).
Cold-induced watery diarrhea: Processed dried ginger, grind to powder, take 2 qian with porridge drink. Immediate effect. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Cold dysentery with green stool: Cut dried ginger into pieces the size of soybeans. Take 6-7 pieces each time with rice drink, three times daily and once at night. Effective with repeated use. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Unremitting bloody dysentery: Char dried ginger until black but retain its nature, cool and grind to powder. Take 1 qian each time with rice drink. Divine and subtle. (Yao Shi *Ji Yan Fang*).
Spleen-Cold Malaria (*Waitai*): Equal parts Dried Ginger and Galangal Root, grind to powder. Take 1 qian, add 1 cup of water, decoct to 0.7 cups, and drink. Another formula: Char dried ginger to black, grind to powder. Take 3 qian with warm wine at the onset of attack. (Wang Shi *Bo Ji Fang*).
Cold Qi causing cough and distension: Dried ginger powder, mix with hot wine to take 0.5 qian. Or hold a malt sugar pill in the mouth. (Yao Sengtan formula).
Cough with rebellious Qi: Equal parts Hezhou Dried Ginger (processed), Soap Fruit (processed, peel removed, seeds and worm-eaten parts discarded), and Cinnamon Twig (purple ones, peeled, ground and sifted). Mix with refined white honey, pound 1000-2000 times, make pills the size of wu zi. Take 3 pills with water when cough starts, 3-5 times daily. Avoid onions, wheat products, and greasy foods. Effect is miraculous. Liu Yuxi served in the same office as Li Ya in Huainan. Li Ya treated patients but never gave formulas, accused of stinginess. Li Ya said: "People with coughs mostly take cooling herbs. If they see this hot-dry formula, they refuse it. Thus, just naming the herbs often yields results." Testing proved true. (Liu Yuxi *Chuan Xin Fang*).
Deficiency-Labor insomnia: Dried ginger powder, take 3 qian with water, induce slight sweating. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Unremitting hematemesis: Dried ginger powder, mix with urine from an uncircumcised boy, take 1 qian. Good effect.
Unremitting epistaxis: Sharpen dried ginger, roast/warm, stuff into nostrils to stop bleeding. (*Guang Li Fang*).
Nasal obstruction: Dried ginger powder, mix with honey, stuff into nostrils. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Cold tears and dim vision: Dried ginger powder, one zi (processed), mix with water to wash. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Red eyes with soreness and pain: White ginger powder, mix with water, apply to soles of feet. Very wonderful. (*Pu Ji Fang*).
Sudden blindness: Have someone chew mother ginger, lick their tongue 6-7 times daily until vision clears. (*Shengji Fang*).
Sudden eye pain: Round and smooth dried ginger, insert into the eye. Wipe away exuded juice. Replace when flavor is exhausted. (*Qianjin*).
Unremitting toothache: Sichuan Ginger (processed) and Sichuan Pepper equal parts, grind to powder. Apply to affected area. (*Yu Yao Yuan Fang*).
Ban Dou (Smallpox/Chickenpox) with Jue Ni: Due to excessive cooling herbs, hands and feet are cold, pulse is faint. Use Dried Ginger (processed) 2.5 qian, Powdered Licorice (roasted) 1.5 qian. Add 2 cups of water, decoct to 1 cup, and drink. (Pang Anchang *Shanghan Lun*).
Early stage of carbuncle and ulcer: 1 liang of dried ginger, stir-fry until purple, grind to powder, mix with vinegar, apply around the lesion leaving the head open, heals spontaneously. This is a strange formula from Shen Yizhai of Dongchang. (*Zhu Zheng Bian Yi*).
Scrofula not healing: Dried ginger powder, mix with ginger juice and paste to form a plug, coat with Red Lead (*Huang Dan*). Insert into the wound daily according to size until pus is exhausted and flesh regenerates. If it does not close, rub with Rhubarb powder mixed with scallion white juice, heals immediately. (*Jiu Ji Fang*).
Bitten by tigers, wolves, or wild dogs: Apply dried ginger powder. (*Zhouhou*).
Bitten by dogs: Dried ginger powder, take 2 bi with water (ginger juice is also good), and apply hot roasted ginger to the wound.
Stung by snakes or scorpions: Equal parts Dried Ginger and Realgar, grind to powder, carry in a bag. Snakes avoid the smell. If stung, apply immediately to calm the venom. (*Guang Li Fang*).
[Appendix] Tianzhu Dried Ginger (*Kaibao Bencao Shiyi*)
Chen Cangqi said: Acrid, warm, non-toxic. Treats cold Qi and cold in the middle Jiao, undigested food, abdominal distension and dysentery, lower back and waist pain, pi masses, and accumulation of evil blood. Produced in Baluo Men Country, also known as Hu Dried Ginger, resembles ginger but is smaller and yellow.