Gan Jiang - Lab Tested, 1lb

Gan Jiang , also known as Dried Ginger Rhizome (Rhizoma Zingiberis), is a powerful Chinese medicinal herb in the category of herbs that warm the interior and expel Cold. It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for warming the Middle Jiao, expelling Cold, rescuing Devastated Yang, warming the Lungs, and stopping bleeding due to Deficiency Cold.

TCM Formula Profile

Temperature: Hot (Warm)
Taste: Acrid
Channels Entered: Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach (Kidney) (Large Intestine)

Primary Functions

• Warms the Middle and expels Cold
• Dispels Wind-Dampness seeping into the Lower Jiao
• Rescues Devastated Yang and expels Interior Cold
• Warms the Lungs and transforms thin mucus
• Warms the channels (unblocks the pulse) and stops bleeding

Indications

Gan Jiang is traditionally used for:

• External Cold affecting the Spleen and Stomach
• Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiencies
• Lower Jiao Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
• Devastated Yang with a very weak pulse and cold limbs
• Lung Cold with expectoration of thin, watery or white sputum
• Hemorrhage due to Deficiency Cold, especially uterine bleeding (only if the bleeding is chronic and pale in color with cold limbs, ashen white face and a soggy thin pulse)

Clinical Notes

Rz. Zingiberis (Gan Jiang) is most effective in warming the Middle Jiao and expelling Interior Cold while Rz. Zingiberis Recens (Sheng Jiang) promotes sweating and disperses Exterior Cold.

Gan Jiang is used when there is Dampness and Cold. It is included in most formulas to either improve overall circulation or normalize the flow of Qi in the Spleen/Stomach. It is often used with Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Zhi Fu Zi) to restore Yang. It is used for epigastric and abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cold dyspnea and coughing.

Gan Jiang is said to have four uses: it unblocks and assists the Heart Yang, it expels stubborn sunken Cold in the organs, it disperses Cold Qi in all of the channels, it treats abdominal pain due to External Wind-Cold.

Herb Comparisons

Gan Jiang and Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Zhi Fu Zi) treat Devastated Yang. Gan Jiang is more for the treatment of Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold, and has a relatively long lasting effect, while Zhi Fu Zi warms and tonifies Kidney and Spleen Yang, with less localized, more immediate effects.

Both Gan Jiang, and Rz. Alpiniae Officinarum (Gao Liang Jiang) disperse Cold from the Middle Jiao and treat Cold pain in the epigastrium. Gan Jiang also warms the Lungs, transforms Phlegm, stops cough and warms the Spleen to stop Cold pain and diarrhea. Gao Liang Jiang warms the Stomach and treats Cold epigastric pain with belching, nausea and vomiting.

Both Gan Jiang and Fr. Evodiae (Wu Zhu Yu) Warm the Middle, disperse Cold and are often used together to treat Middle Jiao Cold Stagnation causing Cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen. Gan Jiang focuses on warming the Upper Jiao and transforming thin mucus in the Lungs to stop coughs. Wu Zhu Yu warms the Lower Jiao treating Cold Bulging Disorder and pain along the Liver channel. It also warms the Womb to treat irregular menstruation and Cold pain in the Lower Jiao.