Ginger has the effect of expelling wind and dispersing cold. Some mistakenly believe that ginger can only be used to dispel the cold of autumn and winter. In fact, the saying "eat radish in winter, eat ginger in summer" has long existed in the theory of Chinese food therapy. Eating ginger in summer is related to people's summer living habits and ginger's various medicinal effects.
Appetite Enhancement: In the scorching summer, the human body is invaded by summer heat or excessive sweating, which reduces the secretion of digestive fluids. However, the gingerol in ginger can stimulate the gustatory nerves on the tongue and the receptors on the gastric mucosa. Through neural reflexes, it promotes the congestion of the gastrointestinal tract and the secretion of digestive fluids, thereby acting to whet the appetite, strengthen the spleen, promote digestion, and increase appetite.
Detoxification and Bacteriostasis: In summer, people enjoy eating cold drinks and cold dishes. As these foods are easily contaminated by external bacteria, accidental consumption can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The volatile oil contained in ginger has certain bactericidal and detoxifying effects.
Expelling Wind and Dispelling Cold: In summer, people have a preference for frozen or overly cold foods. Over time, the spleen and stomach are prone to deficiency and cold, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Ginger has the effects of warming the middle jiao, dispelling cold, and relieving pain, which can prevent the occurrence of the aforementioned symptoms. At the same time, ginger's volatile oil can promote blood circulation and has an excitatory effect on the cerebral cortex, the respiratory center of the heart, and the vasomotor center. Adding some ginger to your diet can refresh your mind, expel wind and cold, and prevent gastrointestinal infections and colds.
It should be noted that because ginger is pungent and warm in nature, it should not be consumed in excessive amounts at once. People with sores, red and painful eyes, internal heat, constipation, or hemorrhoids should not consume it. In addition, rotten ginger contains safrole, which can induce liver cancer, esophageal cancer, and other diseases, and should not be eaten.