生姜，味辛、辣，大热。通畅神明，辟疫 ，且助生发之气，能祛风邪。姜通神明，古
志之
矣。然徒用一二片，欲遽通神明，亦必不得之数。或用人参，或用白术，或用石菖蒲，或用
丹砂，彼此相济，而后神明可通，邪气可辟也。
生姜性散，能散风邪，伤风小恙，何必用桂枝。用生姜三钱，捣碎，加薄荷二钱，滚水
冲服
，邪即时解散，真神妙方也。
或问生姜发汗，不宜常服，有之乎？曰∶生姜四时皆可服，但不宜多服，多服散气，岂
特发
汗哉。
或问生姜辛散，既能散气，似不宜常服，然而多服则正气受伤，少服则正气无害，又不
可过
于避忌，坐视而不收其功也。至于偶受阴寒，如手足厥逆，腹痛绕腹而不可止，不妨多用生
姜，捣碎炒热，慰于心腹之外，以祛其内寒也。
干姜味辛，炮姜味苦，皆气温大热，半浮半沉，阳中阴也。解散风寒湿痹、鼻塞头痛、
发热
之邪者，干姜也；调理痼冷沉寒、霍乱腹痛吐泻之痰者，炮姜也。盖干姜治表，而炮姜温中
。其所以治表者，干姜走而不收，能散邪于外也；其所以温
中者，炮姜止而不动，能固正于内也。虽然姜性大热而辛散，俱能散邪补正，安在炮制而异
宜。干姜散邪之中，未尝无温中之益。炮姜固正之内，未尝无治表之功。但干姜散多于温，
而炮姜固多于散耳。
或问干姜用之于理中汤中，佐附子以成功，岂有妙义乎？曰∶无妙义，仲景夫子不用之
矣。
理中汤，理中焦也。虽有白术是理中焦之药，然气味与附子温热之性尚不相同，故入用干姜
之辛热，与附子同性，专顾中焦，则附子亦顾恋同气而不上越，共逐中焦之寒，以成其健脾
还阳之功也。
或问伤寒门中有姜附汤，其用干姜之义，想亦与理中汤同意？曰∶姜附汤中用人参，似
与理
中汤相同，而孰知别有意义。理中汤，理中焦；姜附汤，治下焦也。附子领人参直入于至阴
之中，专祛腹中之寒，而躯外皮肤之寒邪，则未遑驱逐。加干姜走而不守，如大将亲捣巢穴
，而偏裨旁掠于外，自然内外整肃，远近安奠也。倘只用附子、人参，未尝不可奏功，然而
攻彼失此，仲景夫子所以必加入干姜，使同队而并逐也。
或问四逆汤亦用干姜，其义岂有异乎？夫四逆汤之用干姜，又非前二条之意。四逆汤，
乃救
逆也。救气之逆，必须同群共济，故用附子、肉桂为君，必用干姜为副，否则，气逆而不能
遽转矣。
或问干姜用之白通汤中以通脉，吾惧其散气，则脉随气而散矣，又何以通脉哉？嗟乎！
脉非
气通，又用何物以通之。干姜原非通脉之药，正取其通气耳，气通则脉通矣。夫脉之不通者
，乃寒凝而不通，非气绝而不通也。用干姜以散寒，寒气散，脉气有不通乎。
或问干姜既能通气，用干姜足矣，何以又用葱耶？曰∶葱性亦散气者也。单用干姜，恐通气
有余而通脉则不足，单用葱，恐通脉有余，而通气又不足。合而用之，气通又不伤脉，脉通
又不伤气，两相济而成功，何伤气之足忧乎。
或问干姜炒熟入于健脾药中，谓能补脾以生气，然乎？曰∶干姜温热，原有益于脾气，
何在
炒熟始能补土以生气。但干姜性走，脾气不独受其惠。一经炮制，则干姜守而不走，独
留于脾中，诸经不得而夺之，自然较生用更效也。
生姜，味道辛、辣，性质大热。能够通畅神明（指心神清明），驱除疫病，并且辅助生发之气，能祛除风邪。姜能通神明，古代典籍已有记载。然而如果只用一两片，就想迅速使神明通畅，也是行不通的。或者用人参，或者用白术，或者用石菖蒲，或者用丹砂，彼此相互辅助，然后神明才能通畅，邪气才能被驱除。
生姜性质发散，能疏散风邪，对于伤风这种小病，何必使用桂枝汤（桂枝汤）。用生姜三钱，捣碎，加入薄荷二钱，用滚水冲服，邪气即时解散，真是神妙的方子。
有人问：生姜发汗，不适宜经常服用，有这回事吗？回答说：生姜四季都可以服用，但不宜多服，多服会耗散正气，哪里仅仅是发汗呢。
有人问：生姜辛散，既然能散气，似乎不适宜常服，然而多服则正气受伤，少服则正气无害，也不可以过于避忌，坐视不理而不收其功效。至于偶尔受到阴寒侵袭，如手足厥冷逆乱，腹痛环绕腹部且不可停止，不妨多用生姜，捣碎炒热，敷在心腹外部，以祛除体内的寒气。
干姜味道辛，炮姜味道苦，性质都温热而大热，半浮半沉，属于阳中兼阴。能够解散风寒湿痹、鼻塞头痛、发热等邪气的，是干姜；调理久治不愈的寒冷沉寒、霍乱腹痛吐泻等痰证的，是炮姜。大概干姜治疗表证，而炮姜温补中焦。它之所以能治表，是因为干姜走窜而不收敛，能疏散外部的邪气；它之所以能温中，是因为炮姜静止而不走窜，能固护内部的正气。虽然姜性大热且辛散，都能散邪补正，难道因为炮制不同就有不同的适宜之处吗？干姜在散邪之中，未尝没有温中的益处。炮姜在固正之内，未尝没有治表的功用。只是干姜散多于温，而炮姜固守多于散罢了。
有人问：干姜用在理中汤中，佐助附子以取得成功，其中有什么奥妙吗？回答说：没有奥妙，张仲景先生已经不用这种方法了。
理中汤，是调理中焦的。虽然有白术是调理中焦的药物，但是气味与附子温热之性尚不相同，所以加入干姜的辛热，与附子同性，专门顾护中焦，那么附子也会眷恋同气而不向上越出，共同驱逐中焦的寒气，以完成健脾还阳的功效。
有人问：伤寒门中有姜附汤，它使用干姜的意义，想必也与理中汤相同吗？回答说：姜附汤中用人参，似乎与理中汤相同，但谁知道另有深意。理中汤，调理中焦；姜附汤，治疗下焦。附子带领人参直接深入至阴之中，专门祛除腹中的寒气，而对于躯体外皮肤上的寒邪，则无暇驱逐。加入干姜走窜而不守，如同大将亲自捣毁巢穴，而副将们在外面旁掠，自然内外整肃，远近安定。倘若只用附子、人参，未尝不可以奏效，然而攻此失彼，张仲景先生所以必须加入干姜，使它们同队并力驱逐。
有人问：四逆汤也使用干姜，其中的意义难道有不同吗？四逆汤使用干姜，又不是前两条的意思。四逆汤，是救逆的。救治气机的逆乱，必须依靠群体共同济助，所以用附子、肉桂作为君药，必须用干姜作为辅药，否则，气逆而不能迅速回转。
有人问：干姜用在白通汤中以通脉，我担心它散气，那么脉随气而散开了，又怎么能通脉呢？唉！脉不是靠气来通的，又用什么东西来通它呢。干姜原本不是通脉的药，正是取它通气的作用，气通了脉也就通了。所谓脉不通，是因为寒凝滞而不通，不是气绝而不通。用干姜来散寒，寒气散了，脉气哪有不通的呢。
有人问：干姜既然能通气，用干姜就够了，为什么又要用葱呢？回答说：葱的性质也是散气的。单用干姜，恐怕通气有余而通脉不足；单用葱，恐怕通脉有余，而通气又不足。合在一起使用，气通又不伤脉，脉通又不伤气，两者相互辅助而成功，有什么值得担忧伤气呢。
有人问：干姜炒熟后加入健脾药中，说它能补脾以生气，是这样吗？回答说：干姜温热，原本对脾气有益，何必要炒熟才能补土以生气。只是干姜性质走窜，脾气不仅仅受它的恩惠。一经炮制，则干姜守而不走，单独留在脾中，其他经络不得夺取它，自然比生用效果更好。
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."