Can I drink ginger tea with brown sugar during the late stages of pregnancy if I have a runny nose?

Generally, whether it is advisable for a pregnant woman in her third trimester to drink brown sugar ginger water when experiencing a runny nose mainly depends on the underlying cause of the symptom. If the runny nose is due to catching a chill, drinking brown sugar ginger water is usually acceptable. However, if the symptom results from an inflammatory condition, consuming brown sugar ginger water is not recommended. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention should be sought, and symptomatic treatment should be administered under the guidance of a qualified physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:

If the runny nose in the late stages of pregnancy is caused by exposure to cold, moderate consumption of warm brown sugar ginger water may help alleviate internal coldness, provide warmth, and potentially improve the symptom. Ginger, a key ingredient in brown sugar ginger water, has properties that warm the middle jiao (upper digestive tract) and dispel cold, as well as induce sweating to relieve superficial symptoms. Brown sugar helps improve circulation of blood and qi. Moderate consumption typically does not cause adverse effects to either the pregnant woman or the fetus.

However, if the runny nose during late pregnancy is caused by inflammatory conditions such as rhinitis or sinusitis, drinking brown sugar ginger water may not provide relief and could potentially lead to elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy due to the unnecessary intake of sugar. In such cases, nasal irrigation using normal saline under a physician's guidance may be a more appropriate method for symptom relief.

In all cases, pregnant women should consult their physicians before consuming brown sugar ginger water to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, getting adequate rest, staying hydrated, and enhancing immune function are also important in daily life.