Ginger is a highly valued ingredient with medicinal properties. In our country, there has always been a saying that "eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer." Ginger not only has the function of warming the body and dispersing cold, but also can treat various bodily discomforts. However, incorrect methods of consuming ginger can also affect its health benefits. Let's take a look at some misconceptions about eating ginger.
One misconception is that some people advocate using cola ginger juice instead of brown sugar ginger juice to treat colds. This method is not advisable because brown sugar has a warm and hot nature, while cola does not have the function of dispelling cold. Another misconception is that ginger meat has a hot nature, while ginger skin has a cool nature. Boiling ginger with both skin and meat will weaken its ability to dispel cold and fever. Therefore, when using ginger juice to treat colds, you must first remove the ginger skin and then add a little brown sugar. This can effectively treat wind-cold colds.
In addition, the saying "eating ginger at night is like eating arsenic" is not correct. Eating ginger at night will not cause poisoning, it will only make people excited and make it difficult to fall asleep.
Ginger can be divided into old ginger and young ginger. Young ginger is white in color with smooth skin, while old ginger is yellowish in color with rough skin. Generally, for treating wind-cold colds, it is advisable to use young ginger, while for treating stomach pain and coldness, it is advisable to use old ginger.
It is not advisable to consume too much ginger at once, as it can absorb a large amount of "gingerol" and stimulate the kidneys, causing symptoms such as dry mouth, sore throat, and constipation.
People with excessive internal fire, hepatitis, excessive sweating, diabetes, and dry syndrome should avoid eating ginger. People with eye diseases and hemorrhoids should also not consume ginger in large quantities or for a long time. Rotten ginger and frozen ginger should never be consumed, as they can produce a highly toxic carcinogen called zingerone.
Benefits and Effects of Ginger Water:
1. Relieves Migraine: Migraines are a common minor ailment in our daily life. Although not a serious illness, they can be debilitating. At this time, prepare a basin of hot water and add chopped ginger. Soak your hands in the water for fifteen minutes, and you will gradually feel the pain disappearing.
2. Treats Colds: If we catch a cold from the wind and cold, we need to dispel the cold from our body in order to recover quickly. At this time, prepare a piece of ginger, slice it, and put it in a bucket. Pour in hot water at around 40 degrees Celsius and add a small amount of vinegar and salt. After preparing, soak your feet in the hot ginger water until the back of your feet turns red and you start to sweat slightly. Soak once a day, and the wind-cold cold will quickly be cured.
3. Dispels Cold and Eliminates Pathogens: In life, catching a cold or getting invaded by the cold when the seasons change is a common occurrence. Drinking some ginger water appropriately at this time is very helpful for dispelling cold and improving blood circulation. It can make the whole body feel warm and help expel the cold from the body, promoting good health.
Usage and Combinations of Ginger:
1. Prevent Menstrual Pain: Brown Sugar + Ginger
According to traditional Chinese medicine, menstrual pain is caused by insufficient blood supply to the uterus due to blood deficiency, and blood stasis impeding blood circulation. Overexposure to cold and excessive mental stress are the causes of menstrual pain. Drinking ginger water with brown sugar three days before menstruation can prevent menstrual pain.
Method: Slice or shred the ginger and boil it with brown sugar and water. Boil for about 10 minutes after the water boils, and drink while warm.
2. Warm Hands and Protect the Stomach: Vinegar + Ginger
Eating three slices of ginger soaked in vinegar every morning can solve the problem of cold hands and feet caused by heart yang deficiency. In addition, people suffering from stomach acid, bloating, and stomach pain can also have good results by eating a few slices of ginger soaked in vinegar on an empty stomach in the morning.
Method: Buy half a pound of ginger, slice it, put it in a bottle, and then pour rice vinegar over the ginger until it is covered. Let it soak for three days before eating.
3. Relieve Cough: Ginger + Honey
The idea of using ginger mixed with honey to treat coughs can be found in ancient books such as "Qian Jin Fang" and "Ben Cao Hui Yan." Wind-cold cough is often manifested as a pale tongue with a white coating, abundant thin phlegm, and white color. Mixing honey with ginger and drinking it with water at around 40 degrees Celsius has a good effect.
Method: Take a few slices of ginger and mix them with honey. Let it sit for a while, then mix with warm water (around 40℃) and drink.
