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Knowledge baseHerbs

Gao Liang Jiang高良薑

Rhizoma Alpiniae OfficinarumGalanga

Also known asLesser Galangal Rhizome · Alpinia

Category
Herbs that warm the Interior
Nature
hot
Taste
pungent
Channels entered
Spleen, Stomach
Dosage
1.5–10 g

Usual doses

Dosage
1.5–10 g
Tincture
1–4 ml

Actions & indications

Warms the Middle Jiao and alleviates pain
Epigastric and abdominal pain, vomiting, hiccup or diarrhea due to Cold in the Middle Jiao

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in Yin Deficiency with Heat signs.
  • Contraindicated in Excess Heat.
  • Contraindicated in nausea from Stomach Fire.
  • Contraindicated in sudden turmoil disorder caused by Summerheat.
  • Contraindicated in diarrhea or pain from Heart Deficiency.
  • In weak-constitution patients, combine with Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen and Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Bai Zhu to offset its potentially irritating side effects.

Incompatibilities

Should not be combined with salt.

Combinations

  • Pain and vomiting caused by Stomach Cold.

  • Sudden turmoil disorder brought on by Cold.

  • Epigastric and hypochondriac pain from Liver Qi Stagnation with Cold congealing in the Stomach.

  • Rebellious Qi with vomiting of clear fluid caused by Stomach Cold.

  • Hiccup caused by Stomach Deficiency.

  • Epigastric pain from Cold that stagnates Qi and Blood.

  • Strongly warms the Middle Jiao, expels Cold, and brings down rebellious Stomach Qi, treating Cold pain of the epigastrium and abdomen with hiccup, nausea, and vomiting, as well as diarrhea with undigested food from a Stomach lacking warmth; for Cold-induced hiccup, 6g of each herb is powdered, decocted, and sipped.

  • Powdered together with Chao Liang Jiang and taken in thin rice gruel to treat Heart and chest Bi.

  • Cold sensation and pain in the epigastric region.

  • Sharp, stabbing chest and abdominal pain.

  • Intestinal cramping.

  • Nausea and vomiting caused by Cold.

    • Xiao Hui X
    • iang

    Hernial pain of the abdomen.

  • Acute diarrhea from Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency.

  • Chronic diarrhea from Deficiency Cold.

Notes

  • It is a strong dispersing herb, used like other hot, acrid herbs for either a Cold pattern or Qi congestion; where Qi is weak, pair it with Qi tonics (see contraindications).
  • Studies indicate it inhibits cancer cell growth.
  • It is said to resolve frequent regurgitation together with watery diarrhea containing undigested food.
  • It is effective for nausea and diarrhea from Cold, acute gastroenteritis from sunstroke, and stomach ache from Stomach Qi Deficiency.
  • This herb, Fr. Evodiae Rutaecarpae Wu Zhu Yu, and Rz. Zingiberis Gan Jiang all disperse Cold from the Middle Jiao and relieve Cold epigastric pain. Gan Jiang additionally warms the Lungs, transforms Phlegm, stops cough, and warms the Spleen to relieve Cold pain and diarrhea. Wu Zhu Yu additionally warms the Lower Jiao, treating hernia pain and diarrhea from Cold there, as well as belching and vomiting when the Liver is involved. Gao Liang Jiang itself warms the Stomach and treats Cold epigastric pain with belching and vomiting.
  • Both Gao Liang Jiang and Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang warm the Middle, disperse Cold, and calm nausea. In Gao Liang Jiang the warming property outweighs its acrid-dispersing property, so it acts on the Interior, warms Stomach Cold, and stops pain, treating nausea from intense Stomach Cold. In Sheng Jiang the acrid-dispersing property outweighs its warmth, so it acts on the Exterior, disperses Wind-Cold, and harmonizes the Stomach to stop nausea, mobilizing Yang and dispersing Qi.
  • Dry-fried Lesser Galangal, Chao Liang Jiang, has a diminished acrid-dispersing property, which lets it restrain the Middle and enter the Blood level.
  • Evodia-fried Lesser Galangal, Wu Yu Chao Liang Jiang, more strongly warms the Middle and stops nausea and vomiting from Stomach Cold.
  • Earth-fried Lesser Galangal, Tu Chao Liang Jiang, has an enhanced ability to harmonize and warm the Middle.

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