Can you drink ginger water when you have excessive internal heat ("shang huo")?
Oct 15, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
If the "heatiness" is caused by a cold body constitution or exposure to cold, drinking ginger tea in moderation may be helpful. Ginger tea has the effect of warming the middle burner and dispelling cold, which can help eliminate internal coldness and alleviate heatiness symptoms caused by cold pathogens. However, if the heatiness results from a hot body constitution or internal heat, ginger tea should be avoided. Since ginger tea is inherently warm in nature, consuming it in such cases may exacerbate internal heat and worsen the condition.
In general, whether one can drink ginger tea when experiencing "heatiness" (shang huo) depends on the underlying cause. Ginger tea may usually be consumed if the heatiness is caused by a cold constitution or exposure to cold; however, it is not recommended if the heatiness results from a hot constitution or internal heat. The detailed analysis is as follows:
If the heatiness is triggered by a cold constitution or chilling of the body, moderate consumption of ginger tea is acceptable. Ginger tea has the effect of warming the middle burner and dispelling cold, helping to eliminate internal cold and relieve heatiness symptoms caused by cold pathogens.
However, if the heatiness arises from a hot constitution or internal heat, drinking ginger tea should be avoided. The warming nature of ginger tea may exacerbate symptoms such as sore throat, dry mouth, irritability, and anger, thereby hindering recovery.
Patients experiencing heatiness may follow medical advice to use medications such as Niuhuang Jiedu Pills, Banlangen Granules, or Liuwei Dihuang Pills for treatment. It is also important to maintain healthy dietary habits in daily life, avoiding excessive intake of spicy and greasy foods, which can help promote recovery.
