The Nuance of Ginger
Ginger is available in every supermarket. But in TCM it makes a world of difference whether you use the fresh root (Sheng Jiang) or the dried root (Gan Jiang) used.
Sheng Jiang (Verse Gember)
Characteristic: Light, warm and spreading.
Operation: It works more on the surface and in the stomach. It helps induce light perspiration (for example, when a cold starts), stops nausea, and stimulates appetite. It “opens up.”
Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger)
Characteristic: Hot and concentrated.
Operation: Because of the drying, the dispersing power has disappeared and the heat has turned inward. It warms the “Middle Warmer” (Spleen/Stomach) and the Lungs deep within. It is intended for “internal cold”: a cold stomach, diarrhea due to cold, or cold mucus in the lungs. It “warms.”
Conclusion: Use fresh for digestion and as a cold drink. Use dried for deep, internal warmth.