Introduction: As the old saying goes, in spring, nourish the liver; in summer, nourish the heart; in Changxia nourish the spleen; in autumn, nourish the lungs; in winter, nourish the kidneys. The Dog Days of Summer belong to the “Changxia” period, corresponding to nourishing the spleen. Therefore, people often say that the Dog Days are the “golden period” for nourishing the spleen. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that “the spleen dislikes dampness,” meaning that the spleen is most afraid of dampness. After the beginning of the Dog Days, the weather is hot, the body sweats a lot, coupled with various behaviors that seek coolness, it is easy to lead to the invasion of dampness, which is not conducive to the normal functioning of the spleen and stomach.
If you want to nourish the spleen well, in addition to paying attention to keeping warm, avoiding seeking coolness, engaging in moderate exercise, and sunbathing, you can also assist the spleen through diet. Here comes a very special ingredient, ginger. When it comes to the benefits of eating ginger in summer, there are countless folklore sayings, such as “eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer, no need for a doctor’s prescription” and “three slices of ginger during the Dog Days, the whole body feels at ease,” and so on.
Ginger is rich in gingerol and has a milder taste than mature ginger. Eating 3 slices every morning after the beginning of the Dog Days can help dispel dampness in the body, stimulate appetite, and achieve two purposes in one go. Ginger can be eaten in many ways. Here are two particularly simple methods to share with everyone. Remember to include them during the Dog Days to stay strong and healthy through summer.
Sun-Dried Ginger
After the beginning of the Dog Days, the temperature is high, and the sunlight is intense. We can take advantage of this weather to sun-dry a batch of ginger in the sunshine. Eat 3 slices every morning, convenient and effortless.
【Sun-Dried Ginger Preparation】
1. Prepare a suitable amount of ginger, break it into several large pieces, rinse under running water, scrub clean with a brush, and drain the water;
2. Slice the cleaned ginger into slightly thicker slices, place them in a steamer, start timing when steam rises, and turn off the heat after steaming for 5 minutes;
3. Place the steamed ginger slices in a ventilated bamboo basket, sun-dry them under the sun for 3-5 days. After the moisture in the ginger slices is completely dried, pack them into clean, dry, sealed bags for storage.
To enjoy the sun-dried ginger, take 3 slices every morning, soak in boiling water for a while, let it cool, and then drink. If you are not accustomed to the taste of ginger, you can add some brown sugar.
Vinegar-Soaked Ginger
For sun-dried ginger, pay attention to the weather forecast. You need a week of clear sunny weather. If you find it troublesome, you can make vinegar-soaked ginger, which is not influenced by the weather.
【Vinegar-Soaked Ginger Preparation】
1. Prepare some ginger, as usual, rinse it, scrub to remove the dirt on the surface, especially the mud hidden in crevices;
2. Drain the washed ginger, prepare a clean, dry container, pour the ginger slices in, then add an appropriate amount of vinegar. You can use rice vinegar or aged vinegar; the amount of vinegar should cover the ginger;
3. Seal the container, refrigerate for about a week, and then it is ready to be eaten.
You can take 3 slices of the vinegar-soaked ginger every morning, eat them with breakfast, add them to congee as a side dish, or chew them directly after breakfast.
Regarding eating ginger during the Dog Days, here are 3 suggestions for you to consider before trying:
1. Ginger and the Dog Days have long been a great combination. Eating ginger after the beginning of the Dog Days has many benefits, but it is not suitable for everyone. People who are prone to excessive internal heat and have a dry-hot constitution are not suitable. You should arrange according to your own physical characteristics;
2. There is also timing for eating ginger. It is recommended to have it in the morning, with breakfast or as a morning snack. It can bring good energy for the whole day. Avoid eating ginger late at night, as it may affect sleep quality;
3. There are many varieties of ginger. If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use other types according to your situation.
Above is the food recipe shared with you today. If you find it useful, be sure to save it. Of course, if you have any dishes you’re not familiar with making, feel free to leave a message for me!
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