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Gao Liang Jiang高良姜

Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma · Lesser Galangal Rhizome

Herbs that Warm the Interior 温里药《名医别录》

Overview

A pungent, hot rhizome of the ginger family whose work is almost entirely in the stomach. It warms cold in the middle burner, stops the cold cramping epigastric pain that eases with a hot water bottle, and settles vomiting of clear fluid — classically paired with Xiang Fu in Liang Fu Wan, where the two together address cold and qi stagnation at once.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid · Hot

Channels

Spleen · Stomach

Typical Dosage

3–6 g in decoction
高良姜Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Warms the middle, disperses cold, stops painCold epigastric pain that is better for warmth and pressure, worse for cold food and drink.
  • Redirects rebellious qi, stops vomitingVomiting of clear fluid, belching and hiccup from stomach cold; often with Sheng Jiang or Ban Xia.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Gao Liang Jiang

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cold epigastric pain relieved by warmth
    - Vomiting of clear fluid and hiccup from stomach cold
    - Poor appetite with a cold, distended abdomen
    - Cold-type diarrhea with abdominal pain

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Functional dyspepsiaGastritisNausea and vomitingAbdominal cramping

Contraindications

Cautions

Hot and drying: not for burning epigastric pain from stomach heat, for yin deficiency with heat signs, or where thirst and a red dry tongue are present. Keep the dose small when other hot herbs are already in the formula.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical prohibition, but a hot, acrid herb should be used in pregnancy only in small doses under practitioner supervision.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》 (Zhonghua Ben Cao).

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.