Warmth on the Tip of the Tongue: Ginger, a Culinary and Medicinal Treasure, Nourishing You Through the Four Seasons

Warmth on the Tip of the Tongue: Ginger, a Culinary and Medicinal Treasure, Nourishing You Through the Four SeasonsHeaven nourishes people with five elements, Earth nourishes people with five flavors, as the ancients wisely recognized the intimate connection between food and health. Medicinal cuisine, a crystallization of wisdom from Chinese civilization spanning thousands of years, has been cherished for its delicious flavors, readily available ingredients, and convenient preparation

Warmth on the Tip of the Tongue: Ginger, a Culinary and Medicinal Treasure, Nourishing You Through the Four Seasons

Heaven nourishes people with five elements, Earth nourishes people with five flavors, as the ancients wisely recognized the intimate connection between food and health. Medicinal cuisine, a crystallization of wisdom from Chinese civilization spanning thousands of years, has been cherished for its delicious flavors, readily available ingredients, and convenient preparation. Among them, ginger, an indispensable seasoning in our kitchens, holds significant medicinal value. As the saying goes, Three slices of ginger in the morning are better than ginseng soup. Confucius himself mentioned in the Analects, Every meal is not complete without ginger, but do not eat too much, highlighting ginger's importance in ancient culinary culture.

The Compendium of Materia Medica states: Ginger, while pungent, is not greasy. It expels evil and averts harm. Whether eaten raw or cooked, with vinegar, soy sauce, lees, salt, or honey, no method is unsuitable. It can be a vegetable, a condiment, a fruit, or a medicine. Its benefits are vast. This not only demonstrates the diverse efficacy of ginger but also testifies to its rich culinary versatility.

I. The Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is warm in nature and pungent in taste. It enters the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians, possessing properties that alleviate external chills, warm the stomach to stop nausea, warm the lungs to disperse phlegm, and rectify and detoxify. Beyond traditional medicine's understanding, modern research has revealed even more advantages of ginger:

1. Antibacterial: Ginger is abundant in curcumin and volatile oil, components that effectively inhibit fungi and bacteria, particularly demonstrating strong lethality against Salmonella. Curcumin also modulates the activity of phagocytes, enhancing the body's immunity.

2. Anti-inflammation and Pain Relief: Ginger extracts suppress the activity of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, preventing the synthesis of leukotrienes, thereby relieving joint swelling and pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients during the active phase.

3. Cardiovascular Protection: Gingerol, found in ginger, is a powerful heart stimulant, while shogaol exhibits temporary vasodilator function. Moreover, ginger inhibits platelet aggregation, leading to anti-thrombotic effects, comprehensively safeguarding cardiovascular health.

II. How to Use Ginger

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine states: Nurture Yang in spring and summer, nurture Yin in autumn and winter, suggesting that during the spring and summer, when Yang energy is abundant, we should focus on nourishing Yang. The proverb Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, no need for a doctor to prescribe, further underscores the seasonal health benefits of ginger. Let's delve into the specific applications of ginger in different seasons:

1. Pickled Ginger in Vinegar

Ginger's nature leans towards warmth. Consuming it in spring may cause some individuals to experience "heatiness," such as body fever and excessive sweating. In such cases, ginger soaked in vinegar effectively prevents these discomforts. Additionally, among the five flavors, sour enters the Liver, aligning with the spring season. Consuming vinegar-soaked ginger can also better promote liver and gallbladder function.

Preparation: Wash fresh ginger thoroughly and slice it into coin-sized pieces. Slightly drain excess water in a well-ventilated area, then pour in enough edible vinegar to cover the ginger. Seal the container at room temperature. Allow it to soak for at least three days before consumption.

Benefits: Elevates Yang energy, strengthens the spleen and protects the stomach, promotes liver and gallbladder function.

2. Ginger, Jujube, and Brown Sugar Tea

Summer's heat often leads people to indulge in cold beverages and foods. Prolonged exposure to air conditioning or excessive consumption of raw and cold items can result in an invasion of cold pathogens from both inside and outside, causing symptoms like chills, bloating, poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Ingesting an appropriate amount of brown sugar ginger jujube tea may be a good option.

Preparation: Wash a piece of ginger thoroughly, then slice it into thin strips. Cut 3 large jujubes lengthwise, add them to a suitable amount of water, and simmer for 15 minutes before consumption.

Benefits: Dispels wind and cold, warms the middle and strengthens digestion.

3. Honey Ginger Tea

In autumn, the body's qi gradually begins to contract, and the climate becomes dry. Direct consumption of ginger might dry out the body's fluids due to its nature. Honey can be paired with ginger, harnessing its sweet and moistening properties to counterbalance ginger's dryness.

Preparation: Wash a piece of ginger, peel it, and slice it. Add 150 grams of honey and a suitable amount of water to the ginger slices, and simmer until the color turns light yellow.

Benefits: Warms the lungs to disperse phlegm, moistens dryness and relieves cough.

4. Danggui (Angelica Root), Ginger, and Mutton Soup

Entering winter, the earth becomes cold and barren, and all things enter dormancy. The body also transitions to a state of "rest." Some may hesitate to use ginger in autumn and winter, fearing it might deplete their vital energy. However, with proper processing, ginger can still safeguard our health during these seasons.

Danggui, ginger, and mutton soup was created by Zhang Zhongjing, the medical sage. The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber states: Cold hernia with abdominal pain and pain in the ribs, with urgency, Danggui, ginger, mutton soup treats it. Postpartum abdominal pain, Danggui, ginger, mutton soup treats it. It also treats abdominal cold hernia and deficiency with fatigue. This prescription is highly effective for treating cold and painful abdomen. Consuming it in winter can effectively alleviate symptoms such as cold extremities.

Preparation: Cut 500 grams of mutton into small pieces. Blanch it in cold water to remove impurities, then set aside. Prepare 50 grams of ginger, sliced into fine strips. Wash the Danggui root. Add all ingredients to a pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for about 2 hours before serving.

Benefits: Warms the meridians and dispels coldness, nourishes Qi and blood.

Conclusion

Ginger, a food with both culinary and medicinal properties, not only adds flavor to our meals but also provides comprehensive health protection. Whether it's nurturing Yang in spring and summer or Yin in autumn and winter, ginger demonstrates unique efficacy. Through this article, we hope to introduce more people to the allure of ginger, integrating this "warmth on the tip of the tongue" into daily life for personal health preservation.

SourceYunnan Provincial Hospital of TCM/The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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