Library

[Radix Zingiberis Preparata (Ganjiang / Dried Ginger)]
Pungent in taste, excessively hot in nature, and slightly toxic. It enters the Lung, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. Raw Ganjiang is pungent; it can promote blood circulation, expel cold pathogens, and release the exterior. Prepared Ganjiang (Pao Jiang) is bitter; it can stop bleeding, eliminate cold in the Stomach, and secure the Middle Jiao. It is indicated for deep-seated chronic cold (Chen Han Gu Leng), absence of Yang Qi in the Kidney, and impending exhaustion of pulse Qi. In such cases, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Hei Fu Zi / Black Prepared Aconite Root) should be used as a guiding herb.

Commentary: The pungency of Ganjiang primarily belongs to the Lung organ. Due to its hot nature, it also enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Its entry into the Shaoyin meridian (Heart and Kidney) is facilitated by the guidance of Hei Fu Zi. Blood accelerates when encountering heat; thus, raw Ganjiang promoting blood flow is consistent with natural principles. However, in conditions such as hematemesis (Tu Xue), epistaxis (Nu Xue), lower GI bleeding (Xia Xue), metrorrhagia (Beng Lou), strangury (Lin Zheng), and postpartum hemorrhage, prepared Ganjiang can actually stop bleeding. Why? Because things reverse when they reach an extreme. When excessive blood loss prevents Yin from recovering, Yang has no foundation. By using this herb to assist the generation of Yang, Yin can subsequently recover. It is said that "upon exposure to fire, the taste becomes bitter and color black," indicating that prepared Ganjiang is stabilizing and non-dispersive ("Shou Er Bu Zou"). How could bleeding not cease? Nevertheless, it must only be used for patients with long-standing illness, Qi deficiency, collapse of Yang with profuse night sweats, and cold extremities. If administered immediately during the initial stage of blazing fire-heat, it is like carrying firewood to save a fire; danger and death will ensue instantly. One must be cautious! Zhu Danxi stated: Ganjiang disperses Lung Qi; combined with Fructus Schisandrae (Wu Wei Zi), it stops cough and treats fever due to Blood deficiency. It should be used concurrently with Yin-nourishing herbs. Entering the Lung, it benefits Lung Qi; entering the Kidney, it dries dampness in the lower burner; entering the Qi level, it guides Blood-invigorating herbs into the Blood level. Li Dongyuan stated: Excessive use consumes Yuan Qi because vigorous fire (Zhuang Huo) consumes Qi. Ganjiang is pungent and hot. While all say it tonifies the Spleen, Haizang (Zhang Yuansu) alone says it drains the Spleen. Why? The term "drain" does not refer to draining the healthy Qi of the Spleen, but rather draining the pathogenic cold-dampness within the Spleen. Since pungent-hot agents are used to dry dampness, it is called "draining the Spleen." Raw Ganjiang can cause abortion.

[Raphani Semen / Laifu]
Pungent and sweet in taste, warm in nature, and non-toxic. It enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. It primarily directs Qi downward, aids digestion, eliminates phlegm, stops cough, relieves thirst, and resolves food stagnation. Crushed juice mixed with ink can stop hematemesis; cooked Raphani tonifies the Spleen. Its seed (Laifuzi) has an even more rapid Qi-directing effect, possessing the power to "push down walls and overturn battlements." Ground with water, it can induce vomiting of wind-phlegm; ground with vinegar, it can be applied externally to treat malignant sores. Commonly known as Luobo (Radish), it resolves toxicity from wheat flour products.

Commentary: The pungency of Laifu disperses the Lung, and its sweetness travels to the Spleen; hence, it enters both meridians. Raw Laifu directs Qi downward; excessive consumption depletes Blood because the pungency exceeds the sweetness. Cooked Laifu tonifies the Spleen; excessive consumption causes Qi stagnation because the sweetness exceeds the pungency. The potency of its seed is doubled; therefore, it is contraindicated for those with deficiency.