Rhizoma Zingiberis
Source
The rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Wilid) Rosc., family Zingiberaceae.
Characteristics
Rhizome irregular masses, somewhat flat, with finger-shaped branches,
2-7
cm long and 1-2 cm thick. Surface grey-yellow; cork coarse with wrinkles
and ring-nodes, and stem base scars and buds at the apex of the branches.
Prepared as thin pieces; section showing granular, endodermal rings visible,
vascular bundles scattered in spots, oil cells yellow and scattered. Aromatic
in odour Acrid in taste, hot in nature, and attributive to heart, lung,
spleen and stomach channels.
Indication
1. Dispel cold and warm the middle-jiao : For deficiency-cold of the middle-jiao
with cold pain in the lower abdomen, and diarrhea of cold type, vomiting,
usually used together with Rhizoma Atractyodis Macrocephaiae.
2.
Recuperate the depleted yang and dredge the channels: For yang-exhaustion
syndrome, but less effective than Radix Acoititi Praeparata.
Administration
Decoction:
3-10g. Warm the lung and eliminate sputum: For phlegm-retention syndrome
of lung-cold type with cough and thin expectoration, usually used together
with Herba Asari and Fructus Schisandrae.