The Benefits and Usage Guide of Dried Ginger

Dried ginger is a commonly used warm medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine, offering multiple benefits, including:

I. Main Benefits of Dried Ginger

1. Warming the Middle and Dispelling Cold

• Suitable for cold-induced stomach pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Often combined with Codonopsis (Dang Shen), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), and Licorice (Gan Cao), as seen in Li Zhong Wan, used for cold-induced digestive issues.

2. Restoring Yang and Unblocking the Meridians

• Used for Yang deficiency, cold limbs, and weak pulse, such as cold shock and collapse.

• A key ingredient in Si Ni Tang (Dried Ginger, Aconite, and Licorice), used for restoring Yang energy in severe cases.

3. Warming the Lungs and Resolving Phlegm

• Suitable for cold-type cough with clear phlegm and wheezing.

• Often paired with Asarum (Xi Xin) and Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi) in Xiao Qing Long Tang, used for cold-induced lung conditions.

4. Warming the Channels and Stopping Bleeding

• Used for cold-induced bleeding, such as vomiting blood, bloody stools, or abnormal uterine bleeding, where the blood is dark and cold-related.

• Commonly combined with Mugwort (Ai Ye), Charred Ginger (Pao Jiang), and Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao) in Jiao Ai Tang.

II. Modern Pharmacological Research

• Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects: Gingerol and volatile oils in dried ginger have anti-inflammatory properties.

• Digestive Aid: Stimulates gastric juice secretion and enhances digestion.

• Boosts Immunity: Helps improve the body’s resistance to cold and supports immune function.

III. Precautions for Use

❌ Not suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency and excessive heat (symptoms include dry mouth, throat pain, and night sweats).

❌ Pregnant women should use with caution, especially those with a warm constitution, as excessive heat may affect fetal health.

❌ Excessive consumption may cause overheating (symptoms like dry mouth, throat discomfort, and constipation).

❌ Not recommended for those with internal heat conditions (such as fever, excessive thirst, and severe constipation).

IV. Simple and Effective Dried Ginger Tea Recipe

1. Preparation Methods

✔ Basic Method (For General Use)

• Add 5-10 slices of dried ginger (about 5-10g) to a thermos, pour in 200-300ml of boiling water, seal, and let it steep overnight. Drink warm on an empty stomach the next morning.

➡ Benefits: Warms the body, promotes circulation, and improves constitution.

✔ Enhanced Version (For Severe Cold Sensitivity)

• If you experience extremely cold hands and feet or severe digestive cold, you can add:

• 3-5 red dates (nourishes the stomach and blood)

• 10 goji berries (supports liver and kidney function)

• 2-3 dried longan (boosts energy and warms the body)

• A small amount of honey (balances the spiciness and prevents dryness)

✔ Mild Version (For Summer Use)

• If you worry about excessive heat in summer, you can:

• Reduce the amount of dried ginger to 3-5 slices.

• Substitute some dried ginger with fresh ginger (fresh ginger is milder in nature).

2. Suitable for the Following People

✅ Individuals with cold hands and feet, cold intolerance, or digestive cold

✅ People with chronic diarrhea and a weak digestive system

✅ Those suffering from poor blood circulation, pale complexion, and frequent fatigue

✅ Early-stage cold symptoms (best when combined with brown sugar)

3. Important Precautions

❌ Not suitable for individuals with Yin deficiency and internal heat (symptoms: dry mouth, sore throat, and night sweats).

❌ People with high blood pressure, gastric ulcers, or chronic constipation should consume in moderation (as dried ginger is highly warming).

❌ Pregnant women should use with caution (especially those with an overheated constitution).

❌ Avoid consuming with cold foods (such as raw fruits, ice-cold drinks).

4. Other Recommended Combinations

• Dried Ginger + Brown Sugar: Helps relieve menstrual pain and dispel cold.

• Dried Ginger + Pu’er Tea: Warms the stomach and aids digestion.

• Dried Ginger + Honey: Supports digestion and soothes the stomach.

• Dried Ginger + Longan + Goji Berries: Nourishes blood, boosts energy, and improves circulation.

V. Authentic Production Regions of Medicinal Dried Ginger

The best medicinal dried ginger is primarily sourced from Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, and Hubei. Among them, Pengshan in Sichuan (now part of Meishan City) and Zunyi in Guizhou produce the highest-quality dried ginger.

These regions have unique climatic and soil conditions, along with traditional cultivation and processing methods, making their dried ginger spicy, rich in essential oils, and highly effective medicinally.

Regional Highlights

✔ Pengshan, Sichuan: Produces dried ginger with high gingerol and essential oil content, widely recognized for its superior quality.

✔ Zunyi, Guizhou: The high altitude and large temperature variations in this region help accumulate active compounds, ensuring premium quality.

✔ Hunan and Hubei (e.g., Changde, Enshi): Also produce quality dried ginger, but slightly lower in reputation compared to Sichuan and Guizhou.

In the traditional Chinese medicine market, “Chuan Jiang” (Sichuan Ginger) and “Qian Jiang” (Guizhou Ginger) are the most esteemed varieties, commonly used in clinical applications and pharmaceutical production. If you want to purchase high-quality dried ginger, Sichuan and Guizhou products are the best choices.

Conclusion

✅ Dried ginger offers benefits such as warming the body, restoring Yang energy, aiding digestion, and stopping cold-induced bleeding, making it an essential remedy for those with a cold constitution.

✅ Dried ginger tea is a simple and effective daily wellness drink, but dosage and combinations should be adjusted according to individual needs.

✅ The highest-quality medicinal dried ginger comes from Sichuan (Pengshan) and Guizhou (Zunyi), known for their superior growing conditions.

❌ People with excessive internal heat, high blood pressure, or pregnancy should use with caution to avoid unwanted side effects.

By incorporating dried ginger into your daily routine, you can enhance immunity, improve circulation, and maintain overall health.