Garlic and Ginger and
2 min readGarlic
Pungent (Metal), warm, strong Yang
Garlic, a diaphoretic, warms the lungs, stomach, and spleen and promotes circulation of qi. The antibiotic effects of garlic have been recognized worldwide since antiquity.Northern Chinese chew several cloves of raw garlic with their meals whenever they suspect poor sanitary conditions. If obliged to drink contaminated water, they chew a clove or two of garlic first, swallowing the juice and spitting out the fiber. Because it destroys worms and bacteria, garlic is used as a remedy for diarrhea and chronic amoebic dysentery. Garlic is also an anticoagulant; taken daily, a clove or two of garlic can guard against blood clots, and thus can prevent heart attack or thrombosis. Garlic lowers cholesterol. As a sweat inducer (diaphoretic), garlic is frequently included in recipes for the common cold and influenza. Recent evidence suggests that garlic may also boost the immune system and slow the growth of tumors. For best effects, eat garlic raw. Many (though not all) of its benefits are lost through cooking. To counteract the unpleasant odor of garlic on thebreath, most Chinese people will recommend chewing green tea leaves. Fresh dates or persimmon are said to banish the smell. You may also rinse the mouth with vinegar or drink a glass of milk to counteract the strong odor. Protein, 6.3 g; Fat, 0.1 g; Fiber, 0.8 g; Carbohydrate, 29.8 g; Vitamin A, 0 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.06 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.23 mg; Niacin, 0.4 mg; Vitamin C, 13 mg; Calcium, 30 mg; Phosphorus, 310 mg; Iron, 1.3 mg
Ginger
Pungent (Metal), warm (dry ginger: hot), strong outward-moving Yang
Ginger acts on the lungs, stomach, and spleen. It disperses cold and relieves nausea; a slice of ginger or some ginger juice taken before a boat, car, or plane trip suppresses motion sickness. Ginger aids digestion; a slice or two chewed after a heavy meal combats indigestion and flatulence. Ginger is a powerful diaphoretic and a strong anticoagulant; a few slices of ginger taken daily can guard against blood clots, thus preventing heart attack or thrombosis. As a sweat inducer (diaphoretic), ginger is a useful remedy for the common cold and influenza. Note that fresh ginger contains volatile oils not present in the dried variety. Protein, 2.3 g; Fat, 0.9 g; Fiber, 2.4 g; Carbohydrate, 12.3 g; Vitamin A, 40 IU; Vitamin B1, 0.06 mg; Vitamin B2, 0.03 mg; Niacin, 0.6 mg; Vitamin C, 0 mg; Calcium, 20 mg; Phosphorus, 60 mg; Iron, 2.6 mg
