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Qi is hot, taste is extremely pungent. Pungent, extremely hot, thin in taste but dense in qi, it is yang within yang. Pungent, warm. Non-toxic.

Xiang (Li Dongyuan) states: It treats deep-seated cold and stubborn coldness, absence of yang in the Kidney, and impending exhaustion of pulse qi. Using Black Aconite Root Lateralis Preparata (Hei Fuzi) as a guiding herb, decocting these two herbs—Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) and Hei Fuzi—in water creates Jiang Fu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction). It also treats cold in the Middle Jiao. Wash with water and slow-fire roast before use.

Xin (Zhang Yuansu) states: It disperses cold pathogens. If used in large doses, it dissipates primordial qi; because "pungency disperses," this is due to the principle that "vigorous fire consumes qi." Therefore, Raw Licorice Root (Sheng Gancao) must be used to moderate its action. Pungent and hot, it disperses interior cold, yin cold, and Lung cold. When used together with Schisandra Fruit (Wuweizi), it treats cough by overcoming cold roundworms. For those with deficient righteous qi, when dispersing cold, it is combined with Ginseng Root (Renshen) as a tonic to warm cold in the stomach and abdomen; its nature is mild yet pungent and hot.

Zhen (Wang Haogu) states: When cold pathogenic factors prevail excessively, use pungent herbs to disperse them. After processing, its taste becomes bitter.

Bencao (Tao Hongjing et al.) states: It primarily treats chest fullness, cough, rebellious qi ascending, warms the middle to stop bleeding, and induces sweating. It expels wind-damp bi syndrome, dysentery with diarrhea, cold abdominal pain, sudden evil cholera, distension and fullness, various toxins from wind pathogens, and knotted qi in the skin. It stops spitting blood; fresh ginger is particularly effective. It treats chest fullness, warms the Spleen and dries the Stomach, thereby regulating the Middle Jiao. In essence, it governs qi and drains the Spleen.

Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu) states: Dried Ginger can tonify the Lower Jiao and remove cold; thus, it is used in Si Ni Tang (Four Reversal Decoction). Dried Ginger is originally pungent in taste, but upon exposure to heat, it becomes slightly bitter. Therefore, its action is stationary rather than moving, enabling it to treat interior cold. This differs from Aconite Root Lateralis Preparata (Fuzi), which moves without stopping. Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) uses this herb because it harmonizes the four directions (or ensures smooth qi transformation).

Some say: Dried Ginger is pungent and hot. People claim it tonifies the Spleen, yet here it is said to drain rather than tonify. Why? Dong Yuan (Li Gao) explains: The term "drain" does not refer to draining the righteous qi of the Spleen, but rather draining the pathogenic cold-dampness within the Spleen. Therefore, pungent and hot agents like Ginger are used to dry dampness, hence it is called "draining the Spleen."

Qi is warm, taste is pungent and bitter, pungent and cool. Non-toxic.

Meridian tropism: Herb of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Jueyin Liver Meridian.

Xiang (Li Dongyuan) states: It can induce sweating, unblock joints, and relieve fatigue. It is compatible with Scallion Bulb (Xie). Persons recovering from recent illness should not consume it in excess, as it may cause continuous deficiency sweating. Remove branches and stems, crush, and use.

Xin (Zhang Yuansu) states: It is an ascending herb.

Chen Shiliang states: It can guide other herbs into the Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) levels, and primarily treats stagnation and accumulation of wind-pathogens.