Can ginger relieve a sore throat caused by a hot cold?
A heat cold usually refers to a wind-heat cold. In general, ginger cannot relieve a sore throat caused by a wind-heat cold and may even worsen the discomfort. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Ginger is a warming food with certain irritant properties due to its active components such as gingerol and zingerone. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, ginger is primarily suitable for wind-cold colds, helping to dispel cold from the body and alleviate cold symptoms caused by exposure to cold. Wind-heat colds are usually accompanied by a sore throat, which is an uncomfortable symptom caused by pathogen invasion or stimulation by inflammatory factors in the throat area. Because ginger has warming and irritating properties, its consumption may further irritate the already congested and inflamed throat mucosa, leading to increased pain. In addition, consuming such warming foods may intensify internal heat pathogens, thereby worsening symptoms of a wind-heat cold, such as sore throat and fever.
Therefore, if you experience a sore throat due to a wind-heat cold, you should avoid consuming ginger. During treatment, it is also important to ensure adequate rest, drink plenty of water, and avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy or irritating foods, all of which can help accelerate the recovery process.