Ginger is recorded in "Treatise on Cold Damage," "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber," and "Compendium of Materia Medica" and is a highly valued medicinal herb. Ginger contains many nutrients needed by the human body, such as protein, fat, carotene, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, magnesium, etc.
Actually, ginger is not just a food ingredient, but also a powerful medicinal herb! Here are ten of its main benefits:
1. Treating Insomnia
If you often suffer from insomnia, some seasonings in your kitchen can be very helpful for treating it. The smell of ginger and onion in particular has a sedative effect. Chop about 15 grams of ginger, wrap it in gauze, and place it by your pillow. Inhaling its aromatic fragrance can help you fall asleep peacefully.
2. Sobering Up
Drinking ginger water can immediately alleviate alcohol effects and relieve headaches and dizziness after drinking.
3. Athlete's Foot and Foot Odor
Athlete's foot is a common problem in the summer. Ginger can be used to treat it. Boil ginger in water to make ginger soup, and when the temperature is suitable, use it to soak your feet. You can also add some salt and vinegar, and soak for about 15 minutes. Persisting for a period can eliminate foot odor.
4. Promoting Hair Growth
Ginger contains a component called gingerol. Rubbing ginger on the scalp can stimulate the scalp, accelerate blood circulation, and allow hair follicles to receive more nutrients, which is very beneficial for improving alopecia areata and accelerating hair growth. Many foreigners use it this way, so you can give it a try.
5. Treating Waist and Shoulder Pain
A towel soaked in ginger soup can be applied to the waist and shoulders to relieve pain. This method can relax the muscles in the waist and shoulders and has the effect of soothing the meridians and activating blood circulation. The specific method is to boil ginger in water to make ginger soup, then add a little vinegar and salt. Take a clean towel, soak it in the ginger soup, wring it out, and apply it to the painful area. Repeat several times.
6. Stimulating Appetite and Strengthening the Spleen
As the saying goes, "If your meal isn't appetizing, eat ginger." If you have no appetite before a meal, eating a few slices of ginger can have a good appetizing effect.
7. Removing Dampness
After eating ginger, the body will feel warm, causing the pores to open. This not only expels excess heat but also expels pathogens and cold from the body, promptly eliminating cold and various discomforts caused by excessive cold in the body, such as colds, diarrhea, etc.
8. Preventing Motion Sickness
Eating some ginger before getting in a car can prevent dizziness and vomiting.
9. Treating Bad Breath and Periodontitis
Many people's bad breath is caused by stomach cold. Ginger is a food that warms the stomach, so eating ginger or drinking ginger soup when you have bad breath due to stomach cold can effectively treat it. In addition, gargling with ginger water can treat periodontitis.
10. Weight Loss with Ginger Water Baths
In a bathtub filled with warm water (water temperature about 40-42°C), add boiled ginger, rice wine, and vinegar. During the bath, the water level should not be above the chest (avoiding the chest). Soak for 5 minutes, rest for 2 minutes, and repeat 5 times.
This bathing method can not only help with weight loss and skin whitening but also tighten loose skin and relieve lower back pain.
The following groups should avoid eating ginger!
Although ginger has very high food therapy and medicinal value, it is not suitable for everyone to eat. The following groups should pay special attention.
1. People with hot palms and soles
This type of person belongs to a yin-deficient constitution, caused by insufficient body fluids. Ginger is warm in nature and can easily consume body fluids, worsening the yin deficiency, causing a greater loss of fluids, and leading to symptoms such as dry mouth, dry eyes, irritability, and insomnia.
2. People with dizziness and tinnitus
People with these symptoms often have complications caused by excessive liver fire. These people are already in a state of excessive yang heat, and eating too much ginger would be like "adding fuel to the fire."
3. Hepatitis patients
In general, hepatitis patients should avoid eating ginger because regular consumption can aggravate their symptoms. The heat caused by ginger is not conducive to eliminating inflammation.
4. People with constipation
Constipation is mostly due to intestinal heat. Eating too much ginger at this time can also aggravate the symptoms.
5. People with yellow phlegm
People with yellow phlegm have lung heat and dryness. Ginger is warm in nature, and consuming it can easily worsen the symptoms.
In addition, experts remind: People with carbuncles, abscesses, pneumonia, lung abscess, tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, cholecystitis, pyelonephritis, diabetes, or hemorrhoids should not consume ginger for a long period.