When it comes to eating ginger, we all know that it's beneficial to eat it in the morning, while eating it at night might harm your health. So, what are the benefits of eating ginger in the morning? Why is it not advisable to eat it at night? An old saying goes, "Three slices of ginger in the morning are better than ginseng soup; eating ginger at night is like eating arsenic." This means that eating ginger in the morning is good for the body, while eating it at night can be detrimental to health. Is this saying really valid?
The benefits of eating ginger in the morning
Actually, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this saying passed down from the ancients has some truth to it. In the early morning, the body's Qi is ready to rise. Ginger is pungent in taste and warm in nature, containing active ingredients like gingerol. Eating a little ginger can strengthen the spleen and warm the stomach, "paving the way" for the digestion and absorption of food throughout the day. Moreover, the volatile oils in ginger can improve blood circulation, stimulate the nerves, and warm the entire body. Additionally, if you catch a cold due to wind and cold, drinking ginger soup can also alleviate the symptoms.
Why it's not advisable to eat ginger at night
However, by the evening, the body's Yang energy should be converging, while Yin energy is flourishing. Therefore, one should eat foods that clear heat, promote Qi descent, and aid digestion to be more conducive to nighttime rest. The gingerols in ginger can stimulate intestinal peristalsis. During the day, this can enhance digestive function, but at night, it can become a problem that affects sleep and harms the intestines. Secondly, the pungent and warm, dispersing nature of ginger can interfere with normal nighttime rest. Furthermore, consuming pungent and warm ginger at night can easily lead to internal heat, and over time, symptoms of "heatiness" may appear. Calling it "arsenic" is an exaggeration, but it is indeed detrimental to sleep. Therefore, eating ginger in the morning has more benefits for the body, while it's not advisable to consume large amounts at night. However, eating a small amount of ginger at night, such as using it as a seasoning in cooking, will not harm your health.
Principles for eating ginger
In summary, the general principle for eating ginger is that it is suitable for wind-cold illnesses, but not for heat-related illnesses. It is suitable for people with a cold constitution, but not for those with a heat constitution. Ginger's primary effect is preventing colds due to wind and cold. Conversely, if you have symptoms like fever, a dry mouth, and a sore throat, you should not "add fuel to the fire." Additionally, people with constipation should eat less ginger, as constipation is often due to intestinal heat, and overconsumption of ginger can worsen the symptoms. A special reminder: never eat rotten ginger, as it contains toxic substances that can induce liver cancer and other diseases.
Ginger home remedies
1. Oral ulcers
Gargle with hot ginger water as a substitute for tea, 2 to 3 times a day. Generally, this needs to be done consistently for 6 to 9 times.
2. Cold and headache
Soak your feet in hot ginger water, ensuring the water level reaches the ankles. You can add some salt and vinegar to the hot ginger water and continuously add more hot water during the soak, until the tops of your feet turn red. This method is quite effective for colds and headaches caused by wind and cold.
3. Migraine
When a migraine attack occurs, soak your hands in hot ginger water for about 15 minutes. The pain will be alleviated.
4. Facial acne
Wash your face with warm ginger water, once in the morning and once at night, for about 60 days. The acne will then lessen or disappear. This method also has a certain effect on freckles and dry skin.
5. Waist and shoulder pain
Add a little salt and vinegar to hot ginger water. Soak a towel in the water, wring it out, and apply it to the affected area, repeating several times. This method can help muscles relax from tension, relieving pain.