Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens
Aliases：Jiāng (Ginger); Jiāng Gēn (Ginger Root); Bǎi Là Yún (Hundred Spicy Cloud).
Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the fresh rhizome of Zingiber officinale Rosc., a plant of the Zingiberaceae family. The rhizome is excavated in autumn and winter, with fibrous roots and sediment removed. Ginger has a long cultivation history in China and is both a common culinary seasoning and an indispensable medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It was recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) and is considered a representative medicinal and edible plant.
Efficacy & Actions
Releases the exterior and disperses cold, warms the middle jiao to stop vomiting, resolves phlegm and stops cough, and counteracts fish and crab toxins.
Indications
Used for wind-cold colds, stomach-cold vomiting, cold-phlegm cough, and fish and crab poisoning.
Modern Pharmacology
Antiemetic effect: Effective against motion sickness and pregnancy-related nausea. Anti-inflammatory effect: Gingerols, flavonoids, volatile oils, and polysaccharides regulate inflammatory mediators and signaling pathways. Antioxidant effect: Possesses antioxidant activity. Cardiovascular protection: Regulates blood lipids and blood pressure, improves vascular endothelium, reduces atherosclerosis risk. Analgesic effect: Exhibits analgesic activity. Antibacterial effect: Exhibits antibacterial activity. Antitumor effect: Exhibits antitumor activity. Gastric mucosal protection: Protects the gastric mucosa.
Ingredients
Volatile Oils: α-zingiberene, β-santalol, β-phellandrene, gingerol, zingerone, etc. Gingerols: 6-gingerol, 3-gingerol, 4-gingerol, 5-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, shogaol, zingerone, etc. Amino Acids: Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, and various other amino acids.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 3–10g; or juice extracted and taken orally. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, mashed for application, stir-fried and applied warm, or juice extracted and mixed for rubbing.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of excessive heat and yin deficiency with internal heat (may aggravate fire and damage yin). Not suitable for dry cough due to lung heat or vomiting due to stomach heat. Not suitable for summer-heat cold or wind-heat cold. Use with caution in hemorrhoidal bleeding, mouth ulcers, and sore throat. Use with caution during pregnancy and lactation, preferably under medical guidance. Do not consume rotten ginger (contains safrole, a toxic substance). Not recommended to take large doses on an empty stomach (volatile oils may irritate the gastrointestinal tract). Not recommended to take before bedtime (may stimulate the nervous system and affect sleep).
Selected Formulas
For wind-cold common cold (Ben Cao Hui Yan) Take 5 slices of fresh ginger and 30g of Zisuye (Perilla leaf). Decoct in water and drink. For dry retching with cold hands and feet (Qianjin Yaofang, Jupi Tang) Take 120g of Jupi (tangerine peel) and 240g of fresh ginger. Add 7 sheng of water, boil down to 3 sheng, and take in three divided doses. For vomiting (reversal of gastric flow) (Meishi Jiyan Fang) Take 7 sheng of sugarcane juice and 1 sheng of ginger juice. Mix together and divide into three doses. For vomiting (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Xiaobanxia Tang) Take fresh ginger together with Banxia (Pinellia rhizome), decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Brown Sugar Ginger Tea: Take 3–5 slices of fresh ginger and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Steep in boiling water or boil briefly, then drink. Suitable for early-stage wind-cold colds with prominent chills. Ginger Congee: Take 50g of rice, wash and cook with water to make congee. When the congee is almost done, add 10g of ginger slices and cook until the rice is fully cooked. Consume while warm. Ginger and Jujube Soup: Fresh ginger combined with jujube dates helps nourish the spleen and stomach, and harmonize the nutritive and defensive qi. Perilla and Ginger Soup (from Ben Cao Hui Yan): Take 30g of perilla leaf and 9g of fresh ginger, decoct in water and drink. Used for inducing sweating, releasing the exterior, and dispelling cold. Vinegar-Pickled Ginger: Wash fresh ginger and cut into thin strips. Place in a jar, cover with aged vinegar or rice vinegar. Seal and let sit for at least 4 days before consuming.
Medicinal Parts
Rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, damp place, or bury in moist sand to prevent drying and wilting. Fresh ginger should not be stored for long periods and should be consumed promptly.