It’s common to use ginger in winter cooking to increase warmth and dispel cold. However, there are many myths and rumors about ginger’s uses, both in food and in daily life. Are these ginger uses true or false?

Can ginger treat hair loss and baldness?

Because ginger promotes blood circulation and has antibacterial properties, there are folk remedies that apply ginger to areas of the scalp affected by hair loss or baldness to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.

Ginger contains substances such as gingerol, which promotes heat production. While this warming sensation may make it feel effective, applying ginger to the scalp can cause skin irritation and injury.

Ginger contains irritants that can cause inflammation of the skin or hair follicles, exacerbating hair loss. Currently, there’s insufficient research and scientific evidence to support the use of ginger as a hair loss treatment. If you have hair loss or baldness, it’s recommended to consult a dermatologist for a more comprehensive understanding and treatment to prevent further complications.

Can ginger clear the lungs? Does it help cleanse the lungs?

Ginger has many dietary benefits and is often used in healthy dishes. Some say that eating more ginger can help clear the lungs, remove harmful factors, and purify them. While ginger can help remove dampness, induce sweating, dispel wind and cold, and fight inflammation in dietary therapy, it doesn’t have the surprising effect of purifying the lungs.

Lung health is primarily affected by several inhaled risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms, such as tobacco smoke, secondhand smoke, air pollution, and the irritation of strong cooking fumes.

If you’re concerned about lung health, it’s recommended to avoid frequent and prolonged exposure to risk factors and maintain good ventilation. If you have any health concerns, seek medical attention or consult a doctor. Avoid unfounded claims such as those online claiming that eating ginger can clear nicotine from the lungs.

If you want to protect your lungs, you can indeed consume high-quality nutrients and ingredients in your diet. Anthocyanins and vitamin C, for example, can help with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and support respiratory health. Dark green vegetables, bell peppers, and other vegetables or fruits are suitable for supplementation. In dietary therapy, foods known for their lung-protecting properties, such as yam, lily bulbs, and white fungus, are also suitable for inclusion in dishes.

Can ginger help with weight loss? Can drinking ginger tea every day help you lose weight?

Many people often use ginger in their diets during weight loss efforts. Because ginger contains pungent substances like gingerol, it aids blood circulation and metabolism, promotes heat production, and is indeed helpful for sweating and removing dampness. While sweating can easily make you feel thinner, the goal of weight loss is to build muscle and reduce fat. Expecting to achieve fat loss and health simply through ginger or ginger tea alone is insufficient and limited.

If you’re looking to lose weight with ginger, it’s best to start with a dual approach of diet and exercise. Ginger can be added moderately to dishes as a supplement to warm the stomach, relieve fatigue, and promote heat production, increasing fat burning. If you believe that consuming ginger or ginger tea alone for a long time without adjusting to proper weight loss methods, or even consuming ginger on an empty stomach, improper consumption can irritate your stomach and harm your body.

How to store ginger?

It’s recommended to store purchased ginger in a well-ventilated, dry place away from moisture. If the surface of the ginger shows signs of decay, rotting, or mold, it may contain safrole (currently classified as a Group 2B substance by the International Agency for Cancer, with limited or insufficient evidence in human studies). However, it is still recommended not to consume it if it’s spoiled.