Ginger (Dried), Gān Jiāng, 干姜, Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

AboutPlantsChinese MedicineCaution
Health Benefits
For: Cough • Wheezing • Morning sickness • Vomiting • Nausea • Uterine bleeding • Diarrhea
Attributes: Anticoagulant • Hypotensive • Antiplatelet • Stimulant • Analgesic • Anti-inflammatory • AntipyreticCholagogicAntiemetic • Antimutagenic
Products (online examples)

Tea

Tea

Powder

Spice

Capsules

Granules

Dried Herb

Capsules

Research (sample)

Articles:

Constituents: 
Salicylate • Beta-sitosterol palmitate • Isovanillin • Coumarin • Glycol monopalmitate • Hexacosanoic acid • Dihydroxypropyl ester • Maleimide-5-oxime • P-hydroxybenzaldehyde • Adenine • 6-gingerol • 6-shogaol • Glycerols • Flavonoids • Alkaloids • Saponins • Tannin, Alkaloid • Glycosides

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Imbir (Polish) • Keongang (Korean) • Kankyo (Japanese) • Zenzero (Italian)
Plant Family: Zingiberaceae
Since dried ginger is used in so many Chinese formulas and its actions are fairly different from fresh ginger, it deserves its own blog.Whole ginger, dried under ambient temperature, under the sun or solar cells, retains the most volatile oil and pytochemicals [ref].
Species

Blue-Ring Ginger 

This variety has a light blue ring perimeter when sliced.  They are believed to be juicier and has a lighter taste.  They are less common and are typically more expensive.  For example, the Bubba Baba ginger is a Hawaiian mix ($17/pound).

Common Ginger

Some call it yellow ginger.  Common ginger cost between $2 to $3 per pound in Austin, TX.  One can find fresh ginger at HEB, WholeFoods, or most Chinese stores.

Growth

PC: www.herbalkart.in/2017/08/sonth-sukku.html

Ginger is a perennial low maintenance plant.  They can be grown in containers or in the ground.  With some preparation, store purchased ginger can grow into plants.  Here is a good website describing how easy it is.  The key to higher production is rich soil.

Zingiber officinale is in the USDA Plant Database.  Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:

USA: Zingiber officinale is not found in the wild.    USDA Zones: 9-12

Native: Zingiber officinale in its current cultivar is not typically found in the wild

Habitats: Tropical areas

Category: Warm Interior Expel Cold 
English: Ginger (Dried)    Pinyin:  Gan Jiang      Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis  
Organs: Heart • Lung • Spleen • Stomach      Temperature: Hot    
Taste: Pungent      Toxicity: None noted  
Patterns: Externally contracted cold • Cold from deficient yang qi • Bleeding • Spleen cold deficiency • Stomach cold deficiency • Devastated yang • Cough • Mucous  
Actions:  Warm interior • Expel cold • Stop bleeding • Transform phlegm • Rescue devastated yang • Warm Middle Jiao • Warm lungs • Warm meridians
Indications: Cough • Wheezing • Vomiting • Spleen deficiency cold • Stomach deficiency cold • Interior cold
Contraindications: Pregnancy • Blood heat • Pregnancy • Bloody mucous • Night sweats • Unexplained sweating • Heat induced pain • Heat induce vomiting
Typical Dosage:  3g - 12g            Guidelines
Parts Used: Roots 
Other:
Combine With Purpose
Bai Zhu Spleen deficiency diarrhea.  Char for uterine bleeding and bloody stool [21]
Bai Zhu + Ren Shen Spleen yang deficiency: vomiting, diarrhea, cold abdomen [21],[22]
Zhi Fu Zi Persistent diarrhea from devastated kidney and spleen yang [21],[22]
Huang Lian + E Jiao Dysentary disorder, abdominal pain, epigastric pain.  chronic diarrhea with bloody pus in stool [21],[22]
Zao Jiao + Gui Zhi Rebellious qi rising cough [22]
Zhi Ban Xia Dry Vomiting from congestion cold [21],[22]
Gao Liang Jiang Stomach cold abdominal pain and vomiting [21]
Zhi Fu Zi Devastated yang.  [21]
Ma Huang + Wu Wei Zi + Xi Xin Cough and wheezing from lung congestion [21],[22]
Zao Jia Rebellious qi cough [21]
Hou Po Abodominal pain and epigastric distention [21]
Ai Ye + Bai Zhu Deficiency cold bleeding [21]
Ren Shen + Ai Ye + Bai Zhu Deficiency cold bleeding ,[22]
Fu Ling + Bai hu + Gan Cao Lower body cold and dampness,[22]
Formulas with Gan Jiang
Bai Tong Tang • Bai Ye Tang • Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang • Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang • Da Jian Zhong Tang • Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan • Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang • Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang • Gan Cao Xie Xing Tang • Ge Hua Jie Cheng San • Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang • Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang • Hu Qian Wan • Huang Lian Tang • Li Zhong An Hui Tang • Li Zhong Wan • Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang • San Wu Bei Ji Wan • Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang • Shi Pi Yin • Shi Wei Bai Du San • Si Ni Jia Ren Shen Tang • Si Ni Tang • Tao Hua Tang • Tong Mai Si Ni Tang • Wen Pi Tang • Wu Ji San • Wu Mei Wan • Xiao Qing Long Tang • Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan • Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan
Variations for Gan Jiang

Pao Jiang (deep fried/ prepared ginger).  Bitter.  Better to warm the middle, meridians, and disperse cold

Pao Jiang Tan - better at stopping bleeding

Gan Jiang (dried ginger)- Pungent and hot.  Warms the middle burner and better at alleviating interior cold and deficiency.  

Sheng Jiang (raw ginger) - Pungent and warm.  Better with relieving nausea, vomiting and exterior wind cold.

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
  • Ginger contains coumarin and may cause overdose when used with anti-coagulant drugs.
  • Ginger interacts with metronidazole (antibiotic) by increasing toxicity of metronidazole.  [more]
  • Do not use if suffering from gallstones since ginger promotes bile production
Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs: ♦ Anticoagulants: American Ginseng, Arnica, Rou Gui, Chamomile, Dan Shen, Dang Gui, Deertongue, Sheng Jiang, Goji Berry, Ginko Nutes, Notoginseng, Peach Kernel, Hong Hua, Sweet Clover, Vanilla Grass

Pharma Drugs:♦ Metronidazole ♦ Anticoagulants: asprin , clopidogrel (Plavix) , Coumadin , dipyridamole , enoxaparin , Heparin

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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