Gan Jiang - Dried Ginger Root
TCM Materia Medica
Gan Jiang TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "gan jiang" which in english is 
"dried ginger root", is categorized within the "herbs that warm the interior and expel cold" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the heart, lung, spleen and stomach channels and exhibits acrid and hot (re) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 3-12g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Warms the middle and expels cold - warms spleen and stomach both in conditions of excess due to externally contacted cold, as well as cold from deficiency due to yang qi deficiency.
- Rescues devastated yang, expels interior cold - very weak pulse and cold limbs.
- Warms the lungs and transforms phlegm - lung cold with thin, watery or white sputum.
- Warms the channels, stops bleeding - hemorrhage of various types, especially for uterine bleeding (must be due to cold - chronic and pale in color, with cold limbs, soggy pulse).
Gan Jiang may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: uterine bleeding
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, gan jiang is generally included in the following 10 formulas:
ViewBan Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Wan (Pinellia, Atractylodis and Gastrodia Combination)
Nausea with possible vomitting from combination of damp with liver qi stagnation causing rebellious qi. Dizziness, migraines, and vertigo from damp and liver wind rising. Heavy or oppressed sensati…
ViewChai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Wan (Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig and Ginger Decoction)
Shaoyang disorder with water accumulation - A modification of xiao chai hu tang with gui zhi and gan jiang to work with mixed pattern cases of "heat above, cold below". Generally for patients with e…
ViewFu Zi Li Zhong Wan (Aconite Regulate Middle Pills)
Spleen yang deficiency resulting in coldness of the limbs and/or interior, borborygmus, and possible loose stools or diarrhea. Feeling full even with small amounts of food, bloating, epigastric/abdo…
ViewJia Wei Gui Pi Wan (Augmented Restore The Spleen Decoction)
A combination of jia wei xiao yao wan and gui pi wan - similar effects but with more spleen qi and blood tonification. A range of stress related issues - essentially mixes of stagnation with underly…
ViewShao Fu Zhu Yu Wan (Abdominal Stasis Relief Pills)
Qi and blood stagnation in the lower jiao - lower abdominal masses, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis. Fertility issues in both men and women with the right underlying signs - amenorrhea, dysme…
ViewSi Ni Tang Wan (Frigid Extremities Formula)
Aversion to cold, very cold limbs, sensations of deep cold, fatigue, lethary resulting from kidney yang deficiency. Diarrhea with undigested food, vomiting, abdominal pain.
ViewWen Jing Wan (Warm the Menses Formula)
Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, excessive uterine bleeding or spotting between cycles. Infertility, history of miscarriage.
ViewWu Mei Wan (Mume Fruit Pill)
Generally used with roundworms - abdominal pain, irritability, stifled chest w/heat, vomiting after eating, cold hands and/or feet. Chronic diarrhea, IBS, or other digestive disorders characterize…
ViewXiao Qing Long Wan (Minor Blue Dragon Pills)
Cold/flu like symptoms such as aversion to cold, cough, clear watery phlegm -from exterior wind cold invasion. Wheezing, heavy sensation, edema due to interior water accumulation.
ViewXi Guan Jie Bi Tong Wan (Knee Joint Pain Relief)
Arthritis from damp heat in Chinese Medicine terms. Knee issues with kidney and liver systems involvement. Lower body pain and/or inflammation - hips, knees, ankles, toes especially when the pain m…
As noted above, gan jiang is within the herbs that warm the interior and expel cold functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... used to treat internal cold - either internally generated or from an opportunistic infection (opi). cold from deficiency patterns - cold limbs, fear of cold, pallid complexion, lack of thirst but desire for hot drinks, loose stools, white…)".
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