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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Bie Lu*)
[Correction] Originally attached under the entry for Dried Ginger, it is now separated. It has been moved from the Grass Section to this section.
[Names] Li Shizhen says: According to Xu Shen's *Shuo Wen Jie Zi*, ginger (Jiang) is described as a vegetable that defends against dampness. Wang Anshi's *Zi Shuo* states: "Ginger can strongly resist all kinds of evil pathogens, hence it is called Jiang." The newly sprouted tender ginger, with slightly purple tips, is named Purple Ginger or Zi Jiang; the overwintering root stock is called Mother Ginger.
[Collection and Explanation] *Bie Lu* states: Fresh Ginger grows in the valleys of Jianwei and in Jingzhou and Yangzhou regions. It is harvested in the ninth lunar month.
Su Song says: It grows everywhere, but those from Hanzhong, Wenzhou, and Chizhou are considered superior. The seedlings grow two to three chi high. The leaves resemble arrow-shaped bamboo leaves, long and growing in opposite pairs. The seedlings are green, while the roots are yellow. It produces no flowers or fruits. The roots are harvested in autumn.
Li Shizhen says: Ginger is suitable for planting in sandy soils of low-lying plains. In the fourth lunar month, Mother Ginger is used for planting. Seedlings emerge in the fifth lunar month, resembling young reeds, but with slightly broader, bamboo-like leaves growing oppositely, possessing a pungent aroma. Around the Autumn She festival, new buds grow rapidly, resembling arranged fingers; these are harvested for consumption as they have no fibers, known as Zi Jiang. Those harvested after the Autumn Equinox are inferior, and those after frost become tough. Ginger dislikes wetness and fears direct sunlight; thus, hot autumns yield poor ginger crops. *Lü Shi Chun Qiu* mentions: "Among delicacies, there is ginger from Yangpu." Yangpu is a place name in Western Shu. *Chun Qiu Yun Dou Shu* states: "The Xuan star disperses to become ginger."
[Aroma and Flavor] Pungent, slightly warm, non-toxic.
Meng Shen says: Fresh Ginger is warm; remove the skin for greater heat, retain the skin for cooler properties.
Zhang Yuansu says: Pungent and sweet-warm, with strong aroma and flavor, floating and ascending, belonging to Yang.
Li Dangzhi says: Qin Pepper acts as its guiding herb. It neutralizes the toxicity of Banxia and Langdang. It clashes with Huangqin, Huanglian, and Tianshu Fen.
Tao Hongjing says: Long-term consumption reduces willpower and intelligence, damaging Heart Qi. Nowadays, people consume pungent foods most frequently using this herb. Thus, the *Analects* states: "One does not remove ginger from every meal." This implies it can be eaten regularly, but not in excess. It is suitable for those who are ill.
Zhen Quan says: *Ben Jing* states that long-term consumption of ginger clears the spirit and treats phlegm-qi, implying it can be eaten daily. Tao Hongjing's contrary statement is erroneous and lacks evidence.
Sun Simiao says: Excessive consumption in the eighth and ninth lunar months leads to eye diseases in spring, shortening lifespan and weakening sinews and strength. Pregnant women consuming it may give birth to children with polydactyly.
Wang Haogu says: Ancients said: "Do not eat ginger in autumn, as it drains Qi." Since Fire is prosperous in summer, sweating is appropriate, so ginger consumption is unrestricted then. Pungency moves Qi and drains Lung Qi, hence it is prohibited in autumn. *Hui'an Yulu* also contains the phrase "Autumn ginger shortens human lifespan."
Li Shizhen says: Long-term ginger consumption accumulates heat causing eye diseases; my trials confirm this. Patients with hemorrhoids who eat ginger with alcohol suffer rapid and severe flare-ups. Patients with carbuncles and sores develop malignant flesh if they eat ginger. These points were unmentioned by predecessors. *Xiang Gan Zhi* notes: Adding cicada slough to pickled ginger jars makes even old ginger fiberless, suggesting mutual suppression of material properties.
[Therapeutic Actions] Long-term consumption removes bad breath and clears the spirit (*Ben Jing*). Enters the Five Zang organs, dispels wind-cold-heat, treats headache and nasal congestion due to Cold Damage, counters rebellious Qi and cough, stops vomiting, and directs phlegm downward (*Bie Lu*). Removes water retention and fullness, treats cough and epidemic diseases. Combined with Banxia, treats acute pain in the epigastrium. Juice combined with Xingren decocted effectively expels all qi-knots and solidities, clearing cold and heat obstruction in the chest and heart. Juice mixed with honey treats internal heat vomiting and inability to eat (Zhen Quan). Disperses irritability and opens stomach Qi. Decocted juice expels solidities and冲 (rises through) malodorous Qi in the chest and diaphragm (Meng Shen). Breaks blood stasis, harmonizes the middle, removes cold Qi. Juice resolves drug poisoning (Meng Shen). Clears intense fever, treats phlegm-wheezing and distension, cold dysentery with abdominal pain, tetany with chest fullness, removes offensive odors from the chest and fox odor, kills intestinal parasites (Zhang Ding). Benefits Spleen and Stomach, disperses wind-cold (Zhang Yuansu). Resolves mushroom and other food poisonings (Wu Rui). Raw use disperses, cooked use harmonizes the middle. Resolves throat bi caused by wild bird poisoning. Juice applied to eyes treats red eyes. Paste made with juice and Huangming Jiao applied topically is excellent for severe rheumatic pain (Li Shizhen).
Dried Ginger
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats cough by warming the middle, treats distension, unremitting Huoluan, abdominal pain, cold dysentery, and blood closure. Suitable for patients with deficiency-cold (Zhen Quan). Ginger crumbs taken with wine treat hemiplegia (Meng Shen). A herb for the Qi level of the Lung Meridian, it benefits the Lung (Li Gao).
[Elucidation] Cheng Wuji says: Ginger and Jujube are pungent and sweet, specifically moving Spleen fluids to harmonize Ying and Wei. In formulas, they do not merely focus on dispersion.
Li Gao says: Ginger has four uses: 1) Neutralizing toxicity of Banxia and Houpo; 2) Dispelling wind-cold; 3) Combined with Jujube, pungent-warm to benefit Spleen-Stomach Yuan Qi, warm the middle and drain dampness; 4) Combined with Shaoyao, warms meridians and dispels cold. Sun Simiao said: "Ginger is the holy medicine for vomiting," because pungency disperses. Vomiting is stagnant rebellious Qi; this herb moves Yang and disperses Qi. Question: Ginger is pungent-warm entering the Lung, why say it enters the Stomach gate? Answer: The common belief that the epigastrium is the Stomach gate is incorrect. Below the pharynx, receiving solid matter, is the connection of the Stomach, which is the Stomach gate, traveling with the Lung connection, thus entering the Lung and opening the Stomach gate. Question: Why say "do not eat ginger at night" causing Qi blockage? Answer: Ginger is pungent-warm and promoting development. Nighttime Qi naturally converges; promoting development contradicts Heaven's Way. However, this does not apply to patients. Ginger crumbs are less hot than Dried Ginger but less moist than Fresh Ginger. Using Dried Ginger slices instead of Dried Ginger is because it is not excessive. Folk saying: "Radish at bed, ginger out of bed." Ginger opens appetite; radish digests food.
Li Shizhen says: Ginger is pungent but not meaty, expelling evil and averting malignancy. Raw or cooked, mixed with vinegar, sauce, pickles, salt, or honey, it is always suitable. It can be a vegetable, condiment, fruit, or medicine, offering broad benefits. For early morning travel or mountain walking, holding a piece prevents exposure to mist, dew, dampness, and mountain miasma. Note: Fang Guang's *Xin Fa Fu Yu* states: For stroke, heatstroke, Qi stagnation, poisoning, evil invasion, dry Huoluan, and all sudden acute diseases, Fresh Ginger juice mixed with child urine dissolves them immediately. Ginger opens phlegm and directs Qi down; child urine descends fire.
Su Song records Cui Yuanliang's *Ji Yan Fang*: Imperial Ginger Tea for Dysentery: Slice fresh ginger finely, mix with one or two bowls of good tea, sip freely until cured. For heat dysentery, keep the skin; for cold dysentery, remove the skin. Excellent.
Yang Shaying says: Ginger assists Yang, tea assists Yin. Both dissipate evil Qi, harmonize Yin-Yang, and resolve damp-heat and food/alcohol/summer-heat toxins. Suitable for both red and white dysentery. Su Dongpo treated Wen Lugong effectively with this.
[Attached Formulas] Twenty old, thirty new.
Phlegm and Sudden Wind: Fresh Ginger 2 liang, Aconite Root (raw) 1 liang, Water 5 sheng. Boil to 2 sheng, divide into two doses. Avoid pork and cold water. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Stomach Deficiency with Wind-Heat preventing eating: Fresh Ginger juice half cup, Rehmannia Root juice a little, Honey one spoon, Water 2 he. Mix and take. (*Shi Liao Ben Cao*).
Malaria with chills and fever, Phlegm accumulation in Spleen-Stomach causing chills and fever: Fresh Ginger 4 liang, crush to obtain natural juice one wine cup, expose overnight. On the day of attack, stand facing north at 5 AM, drink to stop. If not stopped, take again. (*Yi Jian Fang*).
Early stage of chills, fever, and phlegm cough: Burn a piece of ginger, hold and swallow. (*Ben Cao Yan Yi*).
Unremitting cough: Fresh Ginger 5 liang, Maltose half sheng. Simmer over low heat until cooked, finish to cure. Effective when used by Officer Duan. (*Meng Shen Bi Xiao Fang*).
Long-term cough and belching: Fresh Ginger juice half he, Honey one spoon, simmer, drink warm in three doses to cure. (*Wai Tai Mi Yao*).
Pediatric cough: Fresh Ginger 4 liang, decoct for bath. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Sudden rebellious Qi rising: Chew 2-3 slices of ginger, repeatedly effective. (*Kou Shi Yan Yi*).
Dry retching and cold extremities: Frequently chew fresh ginger, the holy medicine for vomiting. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Unremitting vomiting: Fresh Ginger 1 liang, Vinegar soup 7 he. Decoct in silver vessel to 4 he, sip with dregs. Also kills intestinal parasites. (*Shi Yi Xin Jing*).
Heart palpitations with hiccupping, hardness in epigastrium: Fresh Ginger 8 liang (Water 3 sheng, boil to 1 sheng). Pinellia Tuber 5 he (wash) (Water 5 sheng, boil to 1 sheng). Decoct together to 1.5 sheng, divide into two doses. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Reverse regurgitation and emaciation *Bing Bu Shou Ji*: Use Mother Ginger 2 jin. Crush juice, make porridge. *Chuan Xin Shi Yong Fang*: Slice ginger, fry in sesame oil, powder, dip soft persimmon in powder, chew and swallow.
Huoluan near death: Fresh Ginger 5 liang, Young ox feces 1 sheng. Water 4 sheng, decoct to 2 sheng, divide into two doses, stops immediately. (*Mei Shi Fang*).
Huoluan with tetany, cramps entering abdomen near death: Fresh Ginger 3 liang crushed, Wine 1 sheng, boil 2-3 times, drink. Apply crushed ginger to painful area. (*Wai Tai Mi Yao*).
Huoluan with abdominal distension, inability to vomit or purge: Fresh Ginger 1 jin, Water 7 sheng, decoct to 2 sheng, divide into three doses. (*Zhou Hou Fang*).
Abdominal distension, unable to take oral medicine: Wrap roasted ginger in silk, insert into anus. Replace when cold. (*Mei Shi*).
Chest and hypochondriac fullness/pain, solid masses with hard painful distension in chest/hypochondrium: Fresh Ginger 1 jin, crush leaving juice, stir-fry slowly until moist, wrap in silk, apply to affected area, iron gently. When cold, re-fry with juice and iron again. After a while, relief comes. (*Tao Hua Shang Han Chui Fa*).
Constipation: Shape ginger like small fat strip, 2 cun long, coat with salt, insert into anus, immediate passage. (*Wai Tai*).
Unremitting cold dysentery: Roasted ginger powder mixed equally with dried ginger powder. Make wontons with vinegar dough, boil in water then clear broth, cool, swallow 14 pills, follow with rice gruel, once daily. (*Shi Liao*).
Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) drinking water: Dried ginger powder 1 liang, mixed with Crucian carp bile, pill size of wutong seeds. Take 7 pills with rice wash. (*Sheng Hui Fang*).
Damp-Heat Jaundice: Rub whole body frequently with fresh ginger, jaundice fades. Another formula: Add Yinchen Hao, especially good. (*Shang Han Chui Fa*).
Sudden red swollen eyes: Zong says: Scrape ancient bronze coin with ginger to get juice, apply to edge of coin, tears will flow. Apply today, cured tomorrow, do not doubt. Another treatment for sudden wind-heat, red painful swollen eyes: December ginger crushed and juiced, dried in shade to powder, mix equal parts with Malachite powder. Soak small amount in boiling water, filter, wash with warm liquid, tearing is good. Tongue coating from various diseases: Wipe well cloth dipped in well water, then rub frequently with ginger slice, coating disappears. (*Tao Hua Fang*).
Mouth ulcers: Fresh ginger juice, rinse and spit frequently. Can also be powdered and applied, very effective.
Toothache: Roast old ginger on tile, mix with Alum powder, rub. Someone groaning day and night was cured. (*Pu Ji Fang*).
Bi syndrome with toxic vapors: Fresh Ginger 2 jin crushed juice, Honey 5 he, simmer evenly. Take 1 he per dose, five times daily. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Poisoning from eating doves, bamboo partridges, francolins: See Animal Section entries.
Poisoning from lettuce, various drugs, dog bites: Drink fresh ginger juice to resolve. (*Duan Ju Fang*).
Tiger bite wounds: Internal fresh ginger juice. External wash with juice, apply Alum powder. (*Mi Lan*).
Viper bite: Apply ginger powder, replace when dry. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Spider bite: Apply fried ginger slices, good. (*Qian Jin Fang*).
Knife/cleaver wounds: Chew ginger, apply, do not move. Flesh regenerates next day, excellent. (*Fu Shou Fang*).
Sprains/dislocations: Ginger and scallion white crushed, mixed with flour, stir-fried hot, ironed on area.
Falls/injuries: Ginger juice mixed with wine, blended with raw flour, applied.
Insects in ear: Drip few drops of ginger juice.
Axillary fox odor: Frequent application of ginger juice, eradicates root. (*Jing Yan Fang*).
Red/White vitiligo: Frequent rubbing with ginger, good. (*Yi Jian Fang*).
Frostbite on ears: Fresh ginger juice, boiled to paste, apply. (*Xia Ri Ji*).
Initial back carbuncle: One piece ginger, roast layer by layer over charcoal, powder, mix with pig bile, apply. (*Hai Shang Fang*).
Carbuncles/swelling: See Bai Zhi entry.
Various sores/fistulas not healing: Large ginger slices with skin, coated with Alum powder, roasted until charred, powdered, apply without moving, good. (*Pu Ji Fang*).
Postpartum blood stasis blocking Heart: Fresh Ginger 5 liang, Water 8 sheng, boil to 3 sheng, divide into three doses. (*Yang Shi Chan Ru*).
Postpartum uterine prolapse ("flesh thread"): A woman exerted force postpartum, protruding flesh thread 3-4 chi long, touching caused extreme heart/abdominal pain. A Daoist instructed buying 3 jin old ginger with skin, crushing, mixing with 2 jin sesame oil, frying dry. Fold 5 chi cooked silk into square knot. Gently lift prolapsed tissue, fold into three balls, insert into vagina. Place ginger in silk bag, fumigate nearby, replace when cold. After one day/night, shrinks mostly; two days, fully reduced. Said to be Secret Formula of Lady Wei. Do not let thread break, or incurable. Pulse Overflow Syndrome: Person bleeding continuously from pores, skin swollen like drum, eyes/nose/mouth closed by gas swelling. Name: Pulse Overflow. Fresh ginger juice and water half cup each, drink, calm immediately. (*Xia Zi Yi Qi Ji Fang*).
Ginger Skin
[Aroma and Flavor] Pungent, cool, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Reduces edema, abdominal distension, and fullness, harmonizes Spleen-Stomach, removes nebula (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Formulas] One old.
Blackening White Hair: Scrape 1 dou old ginger skin, put in greasy pot (no washing), seal tightly. Careful person tends fire, medium-low heat, from dawn to dusk. Grind to powder. After plucking white hairs, insert sesame-seed-sized object into pore. Or pluck mustache first, then rub in with finger. Black hair grows after three days, miraculous. Li Qing verified. (*Su Song Tu Jing Ben Cao*).
Leaves
[Aroma and Flavor] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats mass formation from eating raw vegetables, crush juice and drink, mass dissolves (Zhang Ji).
[Attached Formulas] One new.
Trauma with blood stasis: Ginger leaves 1 sheng, Angelica Sinensis 3 liang, powder. Take one cun-bi with warm wine, three times daily. (*Fan Wang Dong Yang Fang*).