Tracing back to the source, in fact, the principle contained in this sentence comes from a theory of health preservation in traditional Chinese medicine, that is, "nourishing yang in spring and summer and nourishing yin in autumn and winter" mentioned in Huangdi Neijing. And the conclusion of this theory is closely related to the hidden law of the rise and rise of yin and yang in our body.
In spring and summer, everything recovers, flowers and trees grow vigorously from germination, and the temperature rises from warming to hot, all of which are manifestations of vigorous yang.
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the unity of heaven and man, "outside everything, within Liuhe, the change of heaven and earth, the response of yin and yang." The qi of yin and yang in the human body will also change with the change of natural laws. At this time, the yang in the human body also rises outward, which warms the human body, so people will be more energetic and enjoy outdoor activities in natural spring and summer. At this time, yin qi is hidden inside the body, protecting and nourishing the body, and ensuring that it is not hurt by too hot foreign qi.
In autumn and winter, the temperature slowly begins to drop until the winter is cold, flowers and trees also adjust their leaves or fall, and the cold air in nature begins to rise, and the yin in the human body also dominates the human body, so we also become more fond of going to bed early and reduce outdoor activities. At this time, the sun's spirit will be hidden inside to warm our bodies, so as to prevent the cold air from hurting our bodies too much.
Then in spring and summer, the yang is full, and the yang in the natural body will be weak. But everything should be balanced, and so should Yin and Yang. If yin qi in the body is excessive at this time, or eating too many cold drinks in spring and summer encourages yin qi, it will not only fail to protect the body, but will lead to a series of discomfort in the body, such as diarrhea. On the other hand, in autumn and winter, the yin in the body will be weak. At this time, because of the fear of cold, it will keep warm too much, which will encourage the yang in the body, and there may be symptoms such as dry body, dry urine and stool, and dry cough. Therefore, the predecessors put forward the important principle of "nourishing yang in spring and summer and nourishing yin in autumn and winter".
Ginger, warm and pungent, can relieve exterior syndrome, dispel cold, stop vomiting, resolve phlegm and relieve cough. Ginger is warm, but it can also be warm in the middle. In summer, when the yang is excessive outside and the yang in the body is weak, it can just play the role of warming and helping the yang. And radish is sweet and cold, which can lower the qi, promote digestion, induce diuresis, moisten the lungs and eliminate phlegm, and detoxify and produce fluid. Because of its cold nature, eating a proper amount of radish can also encourage yin to fight against yang in winter when yin is outside and yang is weak in the body. Therefore, the phrase "eat radish in winter and ginger in summer" is a typical embodiment of "nourishing yang in spring and summer and nourishing yin in autumn and winter" in Neijing.
Benefits of eating ginger in summer
Sterilization and anti-inflammatory
It is found that the volatile oil of ginger contains some bactericidal components, which can kill salmonella and other bacteria. The weather is hot in summer, and food is easy to be polluted and deteriorated, which may cause gastroenteritis after eating. Proper consumption of ginger or drinking ginger soup can play a role in preventing gastroenteritis.
Prevention of air conditioning disease
In the hot summer, the heat is unbearable. People like to stay in air-conditioned places for a long time, and the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor is large. Some people can't adjust their bodies, and they will catch a cold if they are not careful. Some people suffer from cold air attacks on their shoulders, waist and legs, causing scapulohumeral periarthritis, arthritis or soreness and discomfort in their waist and knees. These are all air-conditioned diseases. Eating ginger or drinking ginger tea and ginger soup in summer can help us to get rid of the body cold, avoid air-conditioning diseases coming to our door, and prevent and treat diarrhea, abdominal pain and other symptoms caused by excessive intake of cold food.
Promote perspiration
Ginger is pungent and warm, and the gingerol contained in it can stimulate the heart and blood vessels, promote blood circulation, promote pores to open and sweat, and can remove excess heat in the body, which has the effect of relieving exterior syndrome and sweating, and has certain cooling and heatstroke prevention effects.
Spleen and stomach strengthening
In hot summer, people often eat a lot of cold food, and the cold enters the body, which leads to spleen and stomach deficiency and cold, resulting in nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. Ginger can warm the spleen and stomach and can treat spleen and stomach deficiency and cold.
Stimulate appetite
The hot weather in summer reduces the secretion of digestive juice, which causes loss of appetite. The gingerol contained in ginger can stimulate the secretion of saliva and gastric juice, promote the intestines and stomach, enhance the digestive function, stimulate appetite, strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite, so there is a folk saying that "rice is not fragrant, eat ginger".
Dispel wind and cold
In summer, people prefer raw and cold food, and drinking water is also cold boiled water at ordinary times. Over time, it will make the spleen and stomach cold, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms, while ginger is pungent and warm, which has the effect of warming the middle and dispelling cold, and can prevent the occurrence of the above symptoms.
Therefore, we should treat the old saying "eat radish in winter and ginger in summer" rationally. We can't eat radish and ginger in summer because of the words of our ancestors. What we should pay attention to is the truth behind this sentence. Only when we understand the specific principle can we choose the appropriate health care method according to our physical condition. Specific analysis of specific problems, when you should eat and want to eat in life, both are edible.