Ginger in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Most people know of ginger as being a very important ingredient in our kitchen. However, many people do not know that ginger is very helpful for our general health, circulation and balancing our body’s yin and yang.
Ginger may be one of the most important plants used in herbal medicine, it is certainly one of the most used. The cultivation of this plant extends so far back in human history that specific origins are hard to trace, however, ginger is mentioned in the eldest medical texts from both India and China. Ginger is one of the most prescribed herbs in TCM, Sheng-jiang (fresh ginger) is used in the treatment of colds for it's ability to eliminate toxins and raise body heat.
1) Ginger can improve circulation
Ginger helps the body to dispel cold. Chinese medicine considers ginger as being a mild sweet spice, and having warm characteristics which help to improve the spleen and digestive systems to rise spleen Qi and yang. This can therefore warm the limbs. Ginger is suitable for people who suffer from the symptoms above. Especially in the winter, eating a little amount of ginger with your food is good for raising your Qi and yang energy.
2) Ginger can regulate digestion and reduce nausea
A traditional chinese medicine text Be Cao Jin Ji Zhu, stated that ginger ‘helps in digestion, strengthening of spleen and stop vomiting and nausea. It also warms the stomach and stop stomach spasming from the coldness.’ Many pregnant women suffer from nausea in the early stage of pregnancy; drinking ginger tea will help to calm down their stomach. Many suffer from motion sickness, ranging from airplane, cars and boats. It is suggested by many people to take ginger to overcome this feeling. Ginger also known to calm down and relax the stomach which will stop nausea.
3) Ginger and Period Pain
Drinking ginger and brown sugar tea is also beneficial in helping the lower abdomen circulation and is suitable for women who have period pain, dark bleeding, blood clots, stomach pain, an aversion to cold. This tea is very popular in cold regions of China.
Precaution
1) Due to ginger’s warm characteristics, if your body is hot or yin deficient, with symptoms of constipation, dry skin, very thirsty, red face and eyes, and perspire a lot, it is best to avoid or reduce the amounts of ginger consumption.
2) People who have high blood pressure, or hyperactivity of the thyroid (hyperthyroidism), elevated pulse, or suffer from menopause, it is also best to avoid or reduce the amounts of ginger you eat.
3) Ginger is very good for certain type of people, if you are unsure if it is suitable for you please visit an experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to find out.
Sources: http://www.pingminghealth.com/article/559/ginger-helps-to-improve-circulation/
