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Most people know of ginger as being a very important ingredient in our kitchen, however many people do not know that ginger is very helpful for our general health, circulation and in balancing our body’s yin and yang.

1. Cause of Cold Hands & Feet

There are many causes that result in cold hands and feet. Anxiety, stress and perspiration can lead to acute cold extremities. In my clinic the most common case of cold hands and feet is due to spleen yang deficiency. Chinese medicine considers spleen yang to spread warmth and energy (Qi) to the limbs and to warm this area, hence those with spleen Qi and blood deficiency will have decreased circulation to these areas and possibly have cold hands and feet or even pain.

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2. Symptoms of Cold Limbs

Most cold hands and feet are due to spleen yang deficiency as we mentioned above and may have the following symptoms: Lack of energy, puffy and heavy legs and arms, puffy eyes and face, bloating after eating, sluggish bowel movement or loose stool, sensitivity to cold environments or foods and some may experience under reactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), overweight or hard to loose weight.

3. Health Effects of Ginger

1) Ginger can improve circulation

Ginger helps the body to dispel cold. Chinese medicine considers ginger as being a mild sweet spice, and having warm characteristics which help to improve the spleen and digestive systems to rise spleen Qi and yang. This can therefore warm the limbs. Ginger is suitable for people who suffer from the symptoms above. Especially in the winter, eating a little amount of ginger with your food is good for raising your Qi and yang energy.

I suggest that you drink ginger tea or ginger porridge or spring onion ginger porridge, especially in the winter.Please see the recipe below.

2) Ginger can regulate digestion and reduce nausea

A traditional chinese medicine text Be Cao Jin Ji Zhu states ginger as ‘helping digestion, to strengthen the spleen and stop vomiting and nausea, also warm the stomach and to stop the stomach spasming from the coldness.’ Many pregnant women suffer from nausea in the early stage of pregnancy, drinking ginger tea will help to calm down your stomach.

Many suffer from motion sickness, ranging from airplane, cars and boats. I remember a few years ago I went to Cairns and spent a day on the boat and suffered from sea sickness. After a few minutes after taking ginger tablets the symptoms subsided. It is suggested by many people to take ginger to overcome this feeling. Ginger also is also known to calm down and relax the stomach which will stop nausea. Such as using ginger tablets for sea sickness.

3) Ginger and Period Pain

Ginger is also beneficial in helping the lower abdomen circulation and is suitable for women who have period pain, dark bleeding, blot clots, stomach pain, and aversion to cold. I suggest you drink ginger and brown sugar tea. This tea is very popular in cold areas in China for period pain.

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4. Recipe

1) Ginger and spring onion porridge

This is a very traditional porridge, cooked at home and also available for dim sum or yum cha.

Small handful of rice (if you like oats, you may use these instead)
2 cups of water
2cm Piece of ginger chopped very fine
2tblsp Spring onion

Boil the rice and water until the rice is soft. Add the ginger and spring onion and cook for another minute. You can add soya sauce to taste.

Effects: Tonifying digestion and warms the circulation

2) Ginger and Brown Sugar Tea
Chop two teaspoons of ginger into small pieces
Add one tablespoon of brown sugar
Add boiling water

Slowly drink the tea while it is warm.

Effects:The tea will result in a warm abdomen area to improve circulation, clears blood clots and reduces period pain.

3) Ginger and lemon tea
Chop two teaspoons of ginger into small pieces
1 slice of lemon
1 cup of boiling water

Add the ginger and lemon to a cup and add boiled water. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes and you can drink the tea.

Effects: Helps to reduce nausea and regulate the stomach

5. Precaution

1) Because ginger has warm characteristics, if your body constitution is hot or yin deficient, with symptoms of constipation, dry skin,very thirsty, red face and eyes, and lots of perspiration it is best to avoid or reduce the amounts of ginger you eat.

2)People who have high blood pressure, or hyperactivity of the thyroid (hyperthyroidism), elevated pulse, or suffer from menopause,  it is also best to avoid or reduce the amounts of ginger you eat.

3) Ginger is very good for certain type of people, if you are unsure if it is suitable for you please visit an experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to find out.