Ginger
Profile
| Latin Name | Zingiber officinale |
| Chinese Name | Jiang |
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Note | Middle-Base |
| Aroma | <Moderate> Spicy, Sharp |
| Color | Pale-Yellow to Yellow |
| Parts Distilled | Rhizome |
| Regions | China, Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines |
| Taste | Spicy |
| Nature | Hot |
| Affinity | LU, SP, ST, KI (especially SP/ST) |
| Major Chemical Constituents | Sesquiterpenes (gingerin ~50%), Monoterpenes (~20%), cineol, bomeol |
| Skin Type | NI A |
| Dosage | 4% dilution |
TCM Categories
- Release the Exterior & Warming (fresh)
- Resolve Phlegm (Cold phlegm)
- Invigorate Blood
- Tonify Yang (dried)
- Expel Parasites
- Harmonize and warm the middle jiao
Functions
- Release the exterior of wind-cold and resolve damp-cold bi-obstruction
- Transforms cold phlegm
- Harmonize and warm the Middle Heater
- Destroy intestinal parasites (if taken internally)
- Invigorates blood by warming the channels
Indications
- Wind-Cold with coughing and cold-phlegm (BL-12, BL-13, LU-7, LU-9, LU-1, ST-40, CV-17)
- Deficient Spleen Yang with Cold in Stomach - nausea, poor appetite, indigestion, epigastric-abdominal distention and pain, morning/motion sickness, cold limbs, loose stools, lethargy (BL-20, BL-21, SP-6, SP-9, SP-3, ST-42, ST-36, CV-6)
Topical Applications
- Apply a 4% warming liniment with Ginger, over the area affected by cold Bi obstruction.
- Apply a 4% dilution of Ginger (50%) and Clove (50%) for toothache prompted by cold temperature and food.
Specific Protocols
- Apply a 6% dilution of Ginger (30%), Eucalyptus globulus (50%), and Benzoin (20%) for Wind-Cold with damp-cold bi obstruction. This blend can be applied to LU/LI Divergent Channels.
- Apply a 4% dilution of Ginger (40%), Cardamom (30%), and Coriander (30%) for Deficient Spleen Yang.
Actions
- Stomachic (promoting the appetite or assisting digestion)
- Carminative (prevents or relieves flatulence)
- Expectorant
- Analgesic
Contraindications & Cautions
- Heat & Empty Fire, especially Stomach Fire
- Irritating to the skin
Notes
- Warm the Interior to Expel Cold (fresh)
- Earth affinity for SP/ST
- Strong affinity for the Ren Mai; opens the Ren Mai and promotes connection by dispersing what has accumulated along it to block connection
- Ren mai oil especially for cold yin stasis
- For LU/LI divergent channels
- For excess cold, damp, phlegm accumulation
- Promotes a connection to the natural and social world in a way that allows us to listen
- Steam-distilled ginger EO (similar to fresh ginger) and CO2-extracted (similar to dried ginger) are very different
- Rids the mind of dampness in clouds
Additional Comments
- Ginger increases absorption of herbs and drugs, yet can harmonize their adverse effects on the Liver.
- Galanga is very similar to Ginger in its effects.
From Class
- Ginger: Oil that resonates with BL-20 Pishu; apply a drop on the point. (Yuen)
- Ginger, rosemary, fennel (kitchen-spice oils): When a person can't swallow, essential oils from kitchen spices support the Earth element and integration; inhale or apply with a carrier oil. (Lewis)