Can ginger and brown sugar water treat cold symptoms such as chills?

Jan 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Ren Yi

Introduction

In general, if cold symptoms of a cold are caused by wind-cold, ginger brown sugar water can be effective for treatment. However, if the cold symptoms are caused by wind-heat, this remedy typically is not effective. Ginger is warm in nature and has functions including relieving superficial symptoms and coldness, warming the middle jiao to stop vomiting, resolving phlegm, and relieving cough. Brown sugar is also warm in nature with a sweet taste and can nourish the middle jiao, alleviate acute conditions, promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and regulate menstruation.

Generally speaking, if the chills caused by a cold are due to wind-cold invasion, ginger brown sugar water may help alleviate the symptoms. However, if the chills are caused by a wind-heat type of cold, ginger brown sugar water is usually not recommended. Detailed explanation is as follows:

If the chills and cold symptoms are due to wind-cold, ginger brown sugar water can help relieve the symptoms by inducing mild sweating, which helps expel the cold pathogen from the body through perspiration. This can alleviate symptoms such as chills, headache, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge. However, for chills caused by wind-heat感冒, ginger brown sugar water is not suitable. Wind-heat感冒 typically presents with symptoms like significant fever, sore throat, and yellow nasal discharge. Consuming ginger brown sugar water in this case may exacerbate the internal heat pathogen, leading to a worsening of symptoms.

Ginger is warm in nature and has functions of relieving exterior syndromes, dispersing cold, warming the middle jiao, stopping vomiting, transforming phlegm, and relieving cough. Brown sugar is also warm in nature and sweet in taste, with effects of nourishing the middle jiao, alleviating urgent conditions, promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and regulating menstruation. Drinking ginger brown sugar water during a cold can provide energy to the body, and its warming nature enhances ginger's cold-dispelling effects. The nourishing and warming properties of brown sugar can also help relieve weakness and fatigue associated with a cold.

If cold symptoms are severe, such as persistent high fever, severe coughing, or rapid breathing, it is important to seek timely medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.

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