What Kind of Ginger Is Pao Jiang? Differences Between Dried Ginger and Pao Jiang and Their Effects
Pao jiang is ginger that has been turned black through extremely high heat, and it is mainly used specifically for diarrhea with cold in the abdomen. Dried ginger is made by cutting old ginger into shreds or slices and drying them. Its nature is to hold the center and warm the stomach, which is different from fresh ginger's ability to disperse wind-cold. The saying that morning is suitable for eating ginger refers to fresh ginger (even if only boiled in soup, it still counts as fresh ginger). Fresh ginger disperses wind-cold, and it is just right for dispersing any wind-cold one may have contracted during the night. Ginger can also activate yang qi; first, one works with more vigor, and second, the body's qi also becomes more vigorous and unobstructed. Once the qi is smooth, the disease focus will also disappear imperceptibly. Hence the saying, "Radish when going to bed, ginger when getting out of bed, and you need not trouble the doctor to write a prescription." Getting-out-of-bed ginger means eating ginger in the morning!
Pao jiang is ginger that has been turned black through extremely high heat, and it is mainly used specifically for diarrhea with cold in the abdomen.
Dried ginger is made by cutting old ginger into shreds or slices and drying them. Its nature is to hold the center and warm the stomach, which is different from fresh ginger's ability to disperse wind-cold. The saying that morning is suitable for eating ginger refers to fresh ginger (even if only boiled in soup, it still counts as fresh ginger). Fresh ginger disperses wind-cold, and it is just right for dispersing any wind-cold one may have contracted during the night. Ginger can also activate yang qi; first, one works with more vigor, and second, the body's qi also becomes more vigorous and unobstructed. Once the qi is smooth, the disease focus will also disappear imperceptibly. Hence the saying, "Radish when going to bed, ginger when getting out of bed, and you need not trouble the doctor to write a prescription." Getting-out-of-bed ginger means eating ginger in the morning!
Ginger is not suitable to eat at night because at night our body gradually needs to quiet down. If one eats fresh ginger and activates the primordial qi, it will only needlessly consume qi and blood. Therefore, the common saying "eating ginger harms the eyes" means that only when too much fresh ginger is eaten in the afternoon and evening, and the body is not strong to begin with, will the eyes be harmed. However, if fresh ginger (that is, fresh ginger) is stir-fried and the color deepens, it takes on the nature of dried ginger or pao jiang; it then holds in the stomach and abdomen rather than dispersing to the exterior, and can hold the center and warm the stomach rather than disperse wind-cold on the surface.
Therefore, stir-fried ginger can also be eaten at night. The saying that ginger is not suitable at night refers to ginger that has not been stir-fried (that is, fresh ginger). Stir-fried ginger is very important for vegetarians or people who often eat vegetables, just as scallions and garlic are important for meat eaters! Whenever the mouth tastes bland, the stool is loose and thin, there is slight pain or bloating in the stomach and abdomen, and pressing with heat brings relief, it may be stomach cold, and it is advisable to add dried ginger (or ginger stir-fried until red) to the dishes. Therefore, fresh ginger and dried ginger are different.
It is common on television to teach people to add ginger to balance the cold nature of fruits and vegetables. In fact, to balance cold nature, it is better to add dried ginger. To be more precise: if ginger has not been stir-fried but only sun-dried, it still has the property of dispelling wind-cold, only not as strong as fresh ginger. Sun-dried ginger can warm the stomach and also has a slight effect of dispelling wind-cold. Moreover, both sun-dried ginger and fresh ginger can invigorate the entire body's functions. Modern research results show that in eliminating free radicals in the body: many elderly people's body surfaces, especially the face and the backs of the hands, are covered with tiny brown spots. This is the result of free radicals in the body. Free radicals in the human body are a kind of aging factor. They act on the skin and cause "rust spots." And ginger is precisely an expert at removing "rust."
Fresh ginger contains a variety of active ingredients, among which gingerol has a very strong effect against free radicals. Practice has shown that after drinking ginger honey water for more than a year, age spots on the face and the backs of the hands will noticeably change or disappear, or shrink to varying degrees, or become lighter in color, and there will be no sign of continued growth. And when free radicals are eliminated, one becomes less prone to illness, especially cancer.
This kind of modern research confirms the ancients' discovery: "Radish when going to bed, ginger when getting out of bed, and you need not trouble the doctor to write a prescription."
As for ginger, do not buy the kind that is too fat and large, because too much fertilizer may have been used, making it puffy and not solid. If you can buy "bamboo ginger," its taste is spicy with fragrance, delicious and highly effective. This variety looks especially thin, is slightly yellow when cut open, and also tastes especially good. Also, do not peel ginger; it is better to eat what can be eaten whole. If you are not wasteful, you may receive more blessings from Heaven!
Fresh ginger soup is suitable for drinking after breakfast (it can still be drunk until noon). If one has just contracted wind-cold and caught a cold, then it is not limited to the morning. (But if the wind-cold cold has lasted a long time, it should be treated separately.) Ginger soup with black sugar or No. 2 sugar is both fine. Sugar can supplement qi and supplement the center. As long as too much sugar is not drunk on an empty stomach, it does not matter. This is discussed in article 031-11. Stir-fried ginger or ginger powder is suitable for adding to food to warm the stomach and benefit the body. In addition, modern research confirms that ginger is also very good for the knee joints.
No wonder the Analects records that Confucius "did not remove ginger from his food"! It really makes one admire Confucius's wisdom.
