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With the passing of the Qingming Festival, we ushered in the Guyu solar term at the end of spring. At this time, the spring rain is continuous and the humidity is heavy, and many people may feel some discomfort in the body, such as aggravated athlete's foot, or feeling tired, which is a manifestation of dampness.
Historically, there was a famous doctor Zhang Zhongjing, who could effectively fight against dampness with only two simple herbs in this wet and heavy season, that is, licorice and dried ginger.
The medicinal science and mechanism of licorice and ginger decoction
Licorice, as the name sounds sweet, actually has a sweet taste. Licorice can not only nourish the spleen and invigorate qi, clear away heat and detoxify, but also relieve pain and urgency, and is a "universal medicine" in traditional Chinese medicine.
Dried ginger is the dry form of ginger, which has a pungent and hot taste, and has the effect of dissipating cold in temperature and restoring yang energy. Don't underestimate these two herbs, they combine to make a very effective "licorice and ginger soup".
During the wet and heavy rainy season, people tend to feel heavy, tired, and even indigestion. Licorice and ginger soup reconciles the body's yang energy and yin cold by warming the yang and dissipating the cold, thereby enhancing the physical constitution and resisting the invasion of dampness. Especially for those who are weak and prone to colds and fevers, this decoction can be said to be a good helper for the change of seasons in autumn and winter.
Modern application and case study of licorice and ginger soup
Nowadays, although we live in a modern society, the ancient Chinese medicine prescriptions still have their unique vitality. Especially in the current epidemic of the new coronavirus, people are beginning to pay more attention to how to strengthen their immunity through natural and traditional ways.
Licorice and ginger decoction is a typical example, which can not only be used to improve physical discomfort caused by wet weight, but also can be used to prevent and assist in the treatment of some common respiratory diseases.
In modern applications, many doctors and herbalists recommend that licorice and ginger decoction should be consumed in moderation during the wet and heavy season. For example, on a cold and wet spring day, if you feel tired or have a poor appetite, a bowl of warm licorice and ginger soup will not only warm your stomach and ward off the cold, but also lift your spirits.
Of course, for those who usually have high blood pressure or heart problems, it is best to consult a doctor or an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner before using it.
Actions and recommendations
In daily life, the wet and heavy weather often brought by the rainy season can lead to many health problems, such as joint pain, muscle soreness, indigestion, etc. The application of licorice and ginger decoction provides a natural and easy way to prevent and treat. Although its effectiveness is recognized by many people, there are still the following aspects to pay attention to when using it:
Dosage control: Licorice and dried ginger are both strong Chinese herbal medicines, and excessive use may cause side effects. For example, if licorice is used in too large amounts, it may lead to water and sodium retention, causing problems such as increased blood pressure;
Dried ginger is hot, and excessive amounts may cause dry mouth or constipation. It is recommended to use it under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner and adjust the dosage according to the individual's constitution.
Individual differences: The appropriate TCM treatment regimen for people with different constitutions is also different. People with yang deficiency constitution can get benefits from using dried ginger because it has the effect of warming yang, while for yin deficiency and fire or dry and hot constitution, it is necessary to use or avoid using dried ginger with caution. Although licorice is flat, it should be used with caution in certain situations.
Seasonal use: Licorice and ginger soup is especially suitable for use in wet and cold weather, which can effectively dispel cold and dampness in the body.
In the summer, especially in the hot and humid climate of the south, excessive use may cause physical discomfort. It is recommended to use it in the wet and cold autumn and winter seasons or during the rainy season.
Modern research and exploration: In recent years, with the development of science and technology, the pharmacological effects of licorice and dried ginger have been deeply studied. For example, the glycyrrhizic acid in licorice has anti-inflammatory, antiviral effects, while the gingerol in dried ginger helps boost the body's metabolism and improve blood circulation. These findings provide a scientific basis for the modern medical application of licorice and ginger decoction.
Through the in-depth discussion of licorice and ginger soup, we not only realized the application of this traditional medicine in modern medicine, but also felt the profound connotation of Chinese medicine culture. While continuing to use and research such traditional prescriptions, we should pay more attention to the matching of individual differences and indications, as well as the rational allocation of lifestyles, so as to truly achieve the prevention and treatment of diseases.
In the future, the modernization and internationalization of licorice and ginger decoction and other traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions will continue, leading traditional Chinese medicine to the world stage and playing its unique role in global health governance.
Finally, do you have any experiences and opinions that you would like to share?