Gan Jiang vs Alpinia officinarum

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Gan Jiang

Zingiber officinale dried

Digestive

Digestive

Gan Jiang

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Alpinia officinarum

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Dried form of ginger used in TCM — more warming and less dispersing than fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang); specifically for cold in the middle burner.

Smaller galangal species used in TCM and medieval European medicine; spice trade commodity.

Active Compounds

shogaols, gingerols, paradol, zingiberene, sesquiterpenes

galangin, alpinetin, kaempferide, acetoxychavicol, cineole, methyl cinnamate

Traditional Uses

Cold in the middle burner (stomach and spleen) in TCM, Chronic cold diarrhea, Vomiting from cold, Used in major warming formulas

digestive stimulant, nausea, cold and flu, stomach pain, cough

Modern Uses

Anti-inflammatory, Antiemetic, Warming digestive, Circulatory stimulant

anti-nausea, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, digestive aid

Adult Dosage

3–9 g dried root as decoction; 500 mg–1 g extract 2x daily

2-4g dried rhizome daily

Contraindications

Yin deficiency heat conditions, Bleeding disorders, Pregnancy in large doses

pregnancy high doses, GERD

Side Effects

GI irritation in heat conditions, Blood thinning in high doses

GI warming sensation

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E