The Three Treasures for Preventing and Treating Colds

In winter and spring, colds are prevalent. Headaches, high fever, and a runny nose are common symptoms, and some people also experience coughing and phlegm, causing a series of symptoms that make those around them tense. Prevention is better than treatment. Within our capabilities, we can start to prevent colds through a reasonable diet. The commonly used foods garlic, scallions, and ginger are the "three treasures" that can effectively prevent and treat colds.

Garlic

It contains various components such as sulfides, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, sugars, fats, vitamins, and glycosides. In addition, garlic is also rich in dietary fiber, mucilage, and inorganic ions such as sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, selenium, and phosphorus. Current pharmaceutical chemistry research has proven that the main active ingredient in garlic is the sulfide allicin, which is unstable. Through heating, mechanical extrusion, or treatment with organic solvents, it can be rapidly converted into garlic essential oil. Through its broad bactericidal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal effects, it has an unexpectedly good effect in preventing and treating colds.

Scallion

It is not only a seasoning commonly eaten year-round but also a nutritious seasonal vegetable. Eating scallions is also a daily dietary habit in places like Shandong. According to analysis, scallions contain vitamin A precursors, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. Scallions contain allicin, diallyl sulfide, linoleic acid, polysaccharides, etc., and their volatile components have antibacterial effects. Scallions contain a considerable amount of vitamin C, which has the effect of dilating small blood vessels and promoting blood circulation. The volatile pungent substances in scallions have a strong bactericidal effect. When excreted through sweat glands, the respiratory tract, and the urinary system, they can mildly stimulate the secretion of related glands, thereby acting to induce sweating, expel phlegm, and promote urination.

Scallions with Stir-fried Eggs

Ginger

It is spicy and slightly warm in nature. Since ancient times, there has been a saying among traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and the common people that "ginger cures a hundred diseases." Although ginger does not contain as many vitamins and minerals as other vegetables, it is high in potassium and iron and is rich in carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Ginger can act like certain antibiotics. The spicy components of ginger are gingerone and zingiberone, which can increase human metabolism and promote sweating. Drinking ginger soup when you first catch a cold can warm the body, promote sweating, and thus lower body temperature. Ginger's anti-inflammatory and phlegm-expelling effects can relieve cold symptoms. You must eat fresh ginger; never eat rotten ginger, as the safrole in rotten ginger is carcinogenic.