宿根谓之母姜
辛温无毒。解半夏、莨菪、浓朴毒。
《本经》久服去臭气，通神明。
发明 生姜辛温而散，肺脾药也。散风寒，止呕吐，化痰涎，消胀满，治伤寒头痛，鼻
塞咳逆，上气呕吐等病。辛以散之，即《本经》去臭气，通神明，不使邪秽之气伤犯正气也
。同大枣行脾之津液，而和营卫。凡药中用之，使津液不致沸腾，不独专于发散也。煨熟则
降而不升，止腹痛泄利，扶脾气，散郁结，故逍遥散用之。同蜂蜜熬熟，治风热咳逆痰结，
取蜜之润，以和辛散之性也。生姜捣汁则大走经络，与竹沥则去热痰，同半夏则治寒痰。凡
中风中暑及犯山岚雾露毒恶卒病，姜汁和童便灌之立解。姜能开痰下气，童便降火也。甄权
云∶捣汁和蜜食，治中热呕逆，不能下食，取姜以治呕，蜜以和胃也。姜为呕家圣药，盖辛
以散之。呕乃气逆不散，以其能行阳散气也。干生姜温中主嗽，治胀满霍乱呕吐不止，腹痛
者宜之。较生姜稍守，较干姜稍缓，为屑和酒服治偏风头痛。姜皮辛凉，能消四肢浮肿，腹
胀痞满，五皮散用之。古云，秋不食姜，令人泻气，而新姜尤当忌之。目疾、痔疮勿食。患
痈疽人食之则生恶肉。妊妇嗜食，令子余指。
其嫩者曰白姜
辛热无毒。或生用，或炮黑用。炮法，浓切，铁铫内烈火烧，
勿频动，俟铫面火然略 以水急挑数转，入坛中勿泄气，俟冷，则里外通黑，而性不烈也。
《本经》主胸满咳逆上气，温中止血，出汗，逐风湿痹，肠 下痢，生者尤良。
发明 干姜禀阳气之正，虽烈无毒，其味本辛，炮之则苦，专散虚火。用治里寒止而不
移，非若附子行而不守也。生者，能助阳，去脏腑沉寒，发诸经寒气，腹中冷痛，霍乱胀满
，皮肤间结气，止呕逆，治感寒腹痛，肾中无阳，脉气欲绝，黑附子为引，理中汤用之，以
其温脾也。四逆汤用之，以其回阳也。生则逐寒邪而发表，胸满咳逆上气，出汗风湿痹宜之
。炮则除胃冷而守中，温中止血，肠 下利宜之。曷观小青龙、四逆等方并用生者，甘草干
姜汤独用炮者；其理中丸中虽不言炮，在温中例治不妨随缓急裁用。然亦不可过多，多用则
耗散元气。辛以散之，是壮火食气也。少用则收摄虚阳，温以顺之，是少火生气也。同五味
子以温肺，同人参以温胃，同甘草以温经。凡血虚发热，产后大热须炮黑用之。有血脱色白
、夭然不泽，脉濡者，宜干姜之辛温以益血，乃热因热用，从治之法也。又入肺利气，入肾
燥湿，入肝引血药生血，于亡血家有破宿生新，阳生阴长之义。如过用凉药，血不止，脉反
紧，疾者乃阳亏阴无所附，加用炮姜、炙甘草可也。阴虚有热、血热妄行者勿用，以其散气
走血也。
被称为宿根的称为母姜。
味辛、性温，无毒。能解除半夏、莨菪、厚朴的毒性。
《神农本草经》记载：长期服用可去除口臭，通利神明。
【发明】生姜味辛性温，具有发散作用，是入肺、脾经的药物。能疏散风寒，止住呕吐，化解痰涎，消除胀满，治疗伤寒引起的头痛、鼻塞、咳嗽气逆、上气呕吐等疾病。用其辛味以发散邪气，即《本经》所说的去除臭秽之气，通利神明，防止邪秽之气伤害正气。与大枣同用，可运行脾脏的津液，调和营卫。凡在药方中使用它，能使津液不至于沸腾耗散，不仅仅局限于发散表邪。煨熟后则性质沉降而不升浮，能止住腹痛和泄泻，扶持脾气，消散郁结，所以逍遥散中会使用它。与蜂蜜一起熬熟，治疗风热引起的咳嗽气逆、痰结，是取蜂蜜的滋润之性，来缓和生姜辛散的烈性。生姜捣成汁则能大走经络，与竹沥同用可去除热痰，与半夏同用可治疗寒痰。凡是中风、中暑以及遭受山岚雾露毒气和突发恶病的人，用姜汁配合童便灌服可立即缓解。姜能开痰下气，童便能降火。甄权说：将姜捣汁加蜜食用，治疗中焦热盛引起的呕吐气逆，不能进食，是取姜来治呕，蜜来和胃。姜是治疗呕吐的圣药，大概是因为其辛味能发散。呕吐是由于气逆不散，因为姜能行阳散气。干生姜（指晒干的生姜）温中焦主要治疗咳嗽，治疗胀满、霍乱、呕吐不止、腹痛者适宜。其性质比生姜稍守中，比干姜稍缓，磨成屑配酒服用可治疗偏风头痛。姜皮味辛性凉，能消除四肢浮肿、腹胀痞满，五皮散中使用它。古语说，秋天不吃姜，会让人泻气，而新姜尤其应当禁忌。眼疾、痔疮患者不要食用。患痈疽的人吃了会长出恶肉。孕妇嗜食，会使孩子长出多余的手指。
其中嫩者称为白姜。
味辛性热，无毒。可以生用，也可以炮黑后使用。炮制方法：切成厚片，放入铁锅中用烈火烧烤，不要频繁翻动，等到锅底火燃起时，略加水迅速挑转几圈，放入坛中不要泄露热气，等到冷却后，内外都变黑，但药性就不猛烈了。
《神农本草经》记载：主治胸满、咳嗽气逆，温中止血，发汗，祛除风湿痹痛，肠澼下痢，生用的效果更好。
【发明】干姜禀受阳气之正，虽然药性猛烈但无毒，其本味为辛，炮制后变为苦味，专门消散虚火。用于治疗里寒证，作用固定不移，不像附子那样行散而不守中。生用的，能助阳气，去除脏腑深处的寒邪，发散各经的寒气，治疗腹中冷痛、霍乱胀满、皮肤间气机结滞，止住呕吐气逆，治疗感受寒邪引起的腹痛；对于肾中无阳、脉气欲绝的情况，以黑附子为引，理中汤中使用它，是因为它能温补脾脏。四逆汤中使用它，是因为它能回阳救逆。生用时能驱逐寒邪并发表，适用于胸满、咳嗽气逆、出汗、风湿痹痛。炮制后能清除胃冷并守中，温中止血，适用于肠澼下利。为何看小青龙汤、四逆汤等方剂同时使用生品，而甘草干姜汤单独使用炮制品？理中丸中虽然没写炮制，但在温中的法则下，不妨根据病情的缓急裁量使用。然而也不可用量过多，多用则会耗散元气。辛味发散，这是“壮火食气”的道理。少用则能收摄虚阳，温顺地引导，这是“少火生气”的道理。与五味子同用可温肺，与人参同用可温胃，与甘草同用可温经。凡是血虚发热、产后大热的情况，必须炮黑后使用。如果有血脱色白、面色枯槁无光泽、脉象濡弱的情况，适宜用干姜的辛温来益血，这是“热因热用”，属于从治的方法。又入肺利气，入肾燥湿，入肝引血药生血，对于亡血家有破除瘀血、生成新血，阳生阴长的意义。如果过用凉药，血仍不止，脉反而紧，病情急迫乃是阳气亏损、阴无所依附，加入炮姜、炙甘草即可。阴虚有热、血热妄行者禁用，因为它会散气走血。
The perennial root is called "Mother Ginger".
Pungent, warm, non-toxic. Resolves the toxicity of Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Langdang (Daturae Semen), and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex).
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records: Long-term consumption removes foul odor and clarifies the mind (Shenming).
[Invention] Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) is pungent and warm with a dispersing action; it enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. It disperses wind-cold, stops vomiting, transforms phlegm-fluids, eliminates distension and fullness, and treats conditions such as headache from Shanghan (Cold Damage), nasal congestion, cough with rebellious Qi, and vomiting. Its pungency disperses pathogens, which aligns with *Bencao Jing*'s description of removing foul odors and clarifying the mind, preventing pathogenic turbid Qi from injuring healthy Qi. When used together with Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), it promotes the movement of Spleen fluids and harmonizes Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi. In herbal formulas, its use prevents fluids from boiling away excessively; it is not solely for exterior dispersion. After baking (Wei), its nature becomes descending rather than ascending, stopping abdominal pain and diarrhea, supporting Spleen Qi, and dissipating stagnation; thus, it is used in Xiaoyao San. When boiled with Fengmi (Honey), it treats cough with rebellious Qi and phlegm-knot due to wind-heat, utilizing the moistening property of honey to moderate the pungent-dispersing nature of ginger. Fresh ginger juice penetrates the collaterals extensively; combined with Zhuli (Bambusa Textilis Caulis Succus), it clears heat-phlegm; combined with Banxia, it treats cold-phlegm. For stroke, heatstroke, or sudden illness caused by mountain mist and toxic vapors, administering ginger juice mixed with Tongbian (Child's Urine) provides immediate relief. Ginger opens phlegm and directs Qi downward; Tongbian descends fire. Zhen Quan stated: Juice mixed with honey treats middle-jiao heat causing vomiting, rebellious Qi, and inability to eat; this utilizes ginger to stop vomiting and honey to harmonize the Stomach. Ginger is the supreme herb for vomiting, primarily because its pungency disperses. Vomiting results from stagnant rebellious Qi; ginger can move Yang and disperse Qi. Ganshengjiang (Sun-dried Ginger) warms the Middle Jiao and mainly treats cough; it is suitable for distension, Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome), persistent vomiting, and abdominal pain. Its nature is more stabilizing than Shengjiang but milder than Ganjiang (Dried Ginger); powdered and taken with wine, it treats hemiplegic headache. Jiangpi (Ginger Peel) is pungent and cool, eliminating edema of the four limbs and abdominal distension/fullness; it is used in Wupi San. Ancient texts warn against eating ginger in autumn as it depletes Qi, especially new ginger. It should be avoided by those with eye diseases and hemorrhoids. Consumption by patients with carbuncles and sores may cause malignant flesh growth. Pregnant women craving ginger may give birth to children with supernumerary digits.
The tender variety is called Baijiang (White Ginger).
Pungent, hot, non-toxic. Can be used raw or processed until black. Processing method: Slice thickly, roast over fierce fire in an iron pot. Do not stir frequently. When the bottom of the pot ignites, add a little water and quickly turn the slices several times. Place in a jar without releasing steam. Once cooled, the interior and exterior become black, yet the medicinal nature is no longer fierce.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records: Mainly treats chest fullness, cough with rebellious Qi, warms the Middle Jiao, stops bleeding, induces sweating, expels wind-damp bi-syndrome, and treats intestinal dysentery. Raw form is particularly effective.
[Invention] Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) embodies correct Yang Qi. Although potent, it is non-toxic. Its original flavor is pungent, but becomes bitter after processing, specifically dispersing deficient fire. It treats Interior Cold with a fixed action, unlike Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), which moves without stabilizing. Raw Ganjiang assists Yang, eliminates deep-seated cold in Zang-Fu organs, expels cold from all meridians, treats cold pain in the abdomen, Huoluan with distension, Qi stagnation in the skin, stops vomiting/rebellious Qi, and treats abdominal pain due to cold invasion. For Kidney Yang deficiency with impending pulse extinction, using Heifuzi (Black Prepared Aconite) as a guide, it is used in Lizhong Tang because it warms the Spleen. It is used in Sini Tang because it restores Yang. Raw form expels cold pathogens and releases the exterior, suitable for chest fullness, cough with rebellious Qi, sweating, and wind-damp bi-syndrome. Processed form removes Stomach cold and stabilizes the Middle Jiao, warming the Middle Jiao and stopping bleeding, suitable for intestinal dysentery. Observe that Xiao Qinglong Tang and Sini Tang both use raw forms, while Gancao Ganjiang Tang uses only processed form. Lizhong Wan does not specify processing, but within the principle of warming the Middle, one may adjust based on urgency. However, excessive use dissipates Yuan Qi. Pungency disperses, representing "Strong Fire consumes Qi" (Zhuang Huo Shi Qi). Small doses collect deficient Yang and gently warm, representing "Small Fire generates Qi" (Shao Huo Sheng Qi). Combined with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), it warms the Lung; combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix), it warms the Stomach; combined with Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it warms the meridians. For blood-deficiency fever or severe postpartum fever, it must be processed until black. For cases of blood loss with pale complexion, dull luster, and soggy pulse, the pungent-warm nature of Ganjiang is suitable to benefit blood, employing the method of "treating heat with heat" (Re Yin Re Yong), a counter-treatment approach. It enters the Lung to promote Qi flow, enters the Kidney to dry dampness, and enters the Liver to guide blood-invigorating herbs to generate blood, embodying the principle of breaking old blood to generate new blood and Yang generating Yin for those who have lost blood. If cooling herbs are overused and bleeding persists with a tight pulse, indicating acute Yang deficiency where Yin has no attachment, adding Paojiang (Processed Ginger) and Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice) is appropriate. It is contraindicated for Yin deficiency with heat or reckless bleeding due to blood-heat, as it disperses Qi and moves Blood.