Gān Jiāng (干姜) — Dried ginger rhizome

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Incompatibilities
7. Cautions and contraindications
8. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Gān Jiāng (干姜) — Zingiber officinale (dried) — is known in English as Dried ginger rhizome. It belongs to the category of Herbs that warm the Interior in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Gān Jiāng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Warms the Middle Jiao and expels Cold — the primary herb for Spleen-Stomach Cold
2. Rescues devastated Yang in collapse
3. Warms the Lung and resolves Cold-Phlegm
4. Warms the channels and stops bleeding — astringes the Blood

Indications

1. Spleen and Stomach Cold — abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting from Cold
2. Yang collapse — cold extremities, sweating and fading pulse
3. Cough with clear or white sputum from Cold in the Lungs
4. Uterine bleeding from Cold and deficiency
5. Chronic diarrhoea from Spleen-Kidney Yang deficiency

4. Key formulas containing Gān Jiāng

Gān Jiāng appears in the following key formulas:

• Li Zhong Wan
• Si Ni Tang

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 88 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Dried ginger (Gan Jiang) is chemically distinct from fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang) — drying converts gingerols to shogaols, which are more potent and have a hotter nature. Key bioactive constituents include 6-shogaol, 6-gingerol, paradol, zingerone and sesquiterpenes. Research confirms anti-inflammatory effects (COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibition), antiemetic properties, gastroprotective effects, cardiovascular effects and significant anti-cancer activity. 6-shogaol has stronger anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties than 6-gingerol. Clinical research confirms benefits in digestive conditions, motion sickness and arthritis.

6. Incompatibilities

Gān Jiāng (干姜) Dried ginger rhizome is not listed in either of the two classical incompatibility texts — Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) or Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions). As with every Chinese herb it should be prescribed only as part of a balanced formula by a registered Chinese herbalist (RCHM), who will check for interactions with any other herbs and prescription medications you are taking.

7. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid in Yin deficiency with Heat, haemorrhagic conditions without Cold, and excess Heat patterns. Use with caution during pregnancy (only fresh ginger is routinely safe in pregnancy; dried ginger is hotter and stronger).

Pattern contraindications

Contraindicated in Heat patterns, Yin deficiency with Empty Heat, hypertension with Liver Yang rising and during the acute phase of febrile illness. Pregnancy: most warming interior herbs are contraindicated except under expert prescription for specific cold patterns.

Modern drug interactions

May interact with antihypertensives (variable effect) and cardiac medication. Fu Zi (Aconite, prepared) can interact with cardiac glycosides (digoxin) — only prescribed by practitioners trained in toxic-herb safety.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Gān Jiāng as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Digestive disorders, Irritable bowel syndrome. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.