During the hot summer months, incorporating a moderate amount of ginger into your diet can help boost vitality and support overall health. While ginger is well-known for its medicinal value, it’s not suitable for everyone. Knowing how to use it properly is key to reaping its benefits without unwanted side effects.

Why Ginger Is Good for Summer？

In summer, high temperatures cause the body to sweat more, leading to a depletion of energy or “yang” in traditional Chinese medicine. Combined with the season’s humidity, people may often feel sluggish, experience poor appetite, or suffer from digestive issues. Ginger, when eaten in moderation, can help restore internal balance and vitality.

1. Stimulates Appetite and Aids Digestion

Ginger contains compounds like gingerol that help stimulate the stomach lining, enhance taste, and promote gastric juice secretion. When summer heat dulls the appetite, a small amount of ginger can rekindle interest in food and support digestion.

2. Relieves Nausea and Motion Sickness

Ginger has natural anti-nausea properties thanks to compounds such as gingerone and zingiberene. It can be helpful for travel-related motion sickness or general feelings of queasiness.

3. Antibacterial Properties

Ginger also has mild antiseptic effects. When added to cold dishes, it not only adds flavor but can also help protect the gut from harmful bacteria.

When to Avoid Ginger？

People with Yin Deficiency: Those who often feel dry in the mouth or eyes, or experience heat in the palms and soles, may find ginger too warming and may feel worse after eating it.

Individuals with Excess Internal Heat: If you suffer from symptoms like mouth ulcers, bad breath, or hemorrhoids, ginger may aggravate these conditions due to its warming nature.

People with Heat-Related or Summer Colds: Ginger may worsen symptoms of heat-induced illnesses, including certain types of colds that come with fever or sore throat.

Should You Peel Ginger Before Eating It?

Ginger without the skin has a stronger warming effect, so it's better for those dealing with cold-related conditions.

Ginger with the skin is slightly cooler and can help promote urination and reduce water retention. For general cooking or for people with bloating or edema, keeping the skin may be beneficial.

Avoid Moldy or Spoiled Ginger：

Never consume ginger that’s gone bad. Rotten ginger may produce toxic substances like safrole, which has been linked to serious health risks such as liver or esophageal cancer. Always check for freshness before use—discard any pieces that are soft, moldy, or discolored.

Three Easy Ginger Recipes for Summer：

1. Ginger & Perilla Leaf Tea

Ingredients: 4–5 slices of fresh ginger, 3–6g of perilla leaves, a small amount of brown sugar.

How to Make: Boil ginger and perilla leaves together for 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar before serving.

Benefits: Warms the body and helps prevent colds.

2. Pickled Ginger in Vinegar

Ingredients: Fresh ginger, aged vinegar (or rice vinegar), white sugar.

How to Make: Shred ginger, soak in vinegar with sugar, seal and let sit for at least 4 days before eating.

Benefits: Aids digestion, strengthens the stomach, and replenishes yang energy.

3. Ginger and Rehmannia Juice

Ingredients: 50g of fresh ginger, 50g of raw rehmannia root.

How to Make: Juice both ingredients and mix with a few drops of camellia oil before drinking.

Benefits: Boosts metabolism and enhances skin and overall vitality.

Tips for Safe Consumption：

Though beneficial, ginger should be eaten in moderation. Overeating can irritate the digestive system and may lead to dryness in the mouth, constipation, or throat discomfort. It's best to consume ginger during the daytime—when the body’s energy is more active—and avoid eating it late at night, as it may interfere with restful sleep or the body’s natural recovery process.

Incorporating ginger into your summer routine can help expel dampness, warm the digestive system, and revitalize energy. However, it’s important to consider your body type and health condition when using ginger. Always opt for fresh ginger, and choose the right preparation method to maximize its health benefits safely.