When I told a friend who is a doctor that I read a book about Traditional Chinese Medicine, he at first retorted, oh, we [Western doctors] are taught to make fun of that stuff. But then he added more seriously that Asian medicines were developed over many centuries and have a solid basis, we just don’t understand it.

Dr. Stephen Fulder, the author of Ginger: The Ultimate Home Remedy, seems to have spent a fair amount of time delving into Asian medicine. Here’s how he explains the body types of Ayurvedic medicine, a system of medicine from India:

Vata type. This body type tends to be tall, thin and bony with dry, cool skin. These people generally are erratic in their habits, adaptable, indecisive, nervous and sensitive. They talk fast, sleep lightly, and generally do not sweat. They lean toward air-type illnesses, including nervous-system problems, arthritic and rheumatic complaints, and all kinds of pains.

Pitta type. This body type tends to be medium in build and muscular, with warm, rosy skin and soft hair. Pitta-type people are marked by moderate speech, a strong appetite and loose motions. They sweat more than normal, sleep soundly and are critical, argumentative and prone to anger. The ailments that tend to affect them include inflammations, infections, liver problems, ulcers and skin rashes.

Kapha type. This body type leans toward being heavier, stouter and slower than the other two, with a pale complexion, oily hair, and thick skin. These are people of constant habits, with a moderate digestion and a tendency to have mucus. They are likely to be calm and sentimental and are sometimes dull. They speak slowly and speak deeply. The illnesses that affect them include bronchial problems, edema, mucus problems, swollen glands, growths, stomach problems, and ear, nose and throat problems.

And what of ginger and these body types? Ayurveda recommends ginger in particular for Kapha types, as it helps to counterbalance too much sugar, too much dairy, too much alchohol, too much fruit and too much meat. In general, Fulder writes: “ginger is good for Kapha types to counteract a tendency toward lethargy, congestion and stagnation.”

Vata types can use ginger to help with digestive problems, since it helps absorption, warms the intestines and treats cramps, gas and colicky pain.

In contrast, he says, Pitta types do not do well with ginger because by nature they are fiery enough. Instead of ginger, Ayurveda recommends coriander, cumin, caraway or fennel.

Some of the techniques of Ayurvedic medicine, according to Fulder: “Ayurveda employs herbs and spices, oils, yoga, massage, dietary principles, colors, gems, minerals, and almost anything imaginable as a therapeutic tool.”

Do you see yourself or anyone you know in these body types? Any of the ailments seem familiar? Or does this seem totally foreign to you as a way to treat an ailment?

Stephen Fulder, author of Ginger: The Ultimate Home Remedy,calls ginger both a spice and a medicinal food. In other words, you can eat because it adds a great kick to your dish, or you can eat to treat an ailment or maintain health.

First, a bit about Stephen Fulder, PhD. He has also written The Book of Ginseng: And Other Chinese Herbs for Vitalityand Garlic: Nature’s Original Remedy,and he divides his time between the Galil (in Northern Israel) and Oxford, England. He has been involved in research on medicinal plants and alternative medical systems for over twenty years.

Here’s what he has to say about using ginger to treat the common cold:

In the early stages, drink ginger tea with lemon and cloves or take ginger tablets. Vitamin C has been proven very helpful in nipping viral diseases, including colds, in the bud and greatly reducing their severity. Eat very lightly or not at all, and if you do eat, stay away from oils, fats, and dairy products, all of which increase mucus and congestion. Once a cold is established, your focus should switch to clearing out the mucus and congestion and warming the inside of the body. Inhale sage tea or mentholated balm (a little balm in a bowl with steaming water). You can also put a tiny amount of balm [note from me: he is not clear about kind of balm] on the nostril entrances to help clear the congestion…Garlic and onions with honey is another helpful mixture. Continue taking ginger throughout your cold to keep up the sweating and the inner warmth. Other herbs useful for colds are lemon balm and catnip.

He also discusses using ginger for fevers, rheumatic problems or menstrual problems. If you want to ginger up your food, he has a bunch of recipes in the back, after discussing ginger’s chemistry, history and folklore. Ginger pickles (ingredients are only ginger and cider vinegar!) sound easy; maybe I’ll give that one a try.

Any good ideas of your own about how to serve ginger? Ginger tea, by the way, is easy to make and delicious.

More on Ginger (Intro to Ayurvedic Medicine)

I have been making lentils in various forms this fall. The lentils in the bowl above were made overnight in my crockpot.

Lentil Soup with Curry

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. lentils
• 3 cups of water
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 slice of ginger root
• Salt, turmeric, cumin to taste

Put all the ingredients except the spices in the crockpot. Cook on low overnight. In the morning, add the salt, turmeric and cumin.

Lentil Salad with Lemon Juice

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. lentils
• 1 1/2 cups of water
• lemon juice, preferably from fresh lemons
• salt to taste
• optional: parsley

The key to making lentil salad as opposed to lentil soup is use less water. Cook the lentils with the water for about two hours (this is how long it takes in my crockpot). When the lentils are tender, add the lemon juice and salt. Garnish with parsley. Can be served hot or room temperature.

Lentil Soup with Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. lentils
• 3 cups of water
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 slice of ginger root
• Handful of baby carrots
• 2 sliced zucchini
• 1 can whole tomatoes
• Salt to taste
• Optional: jalapeno pepper, chopped

Cook the lentils, ginger, garlic and carrots in water until the lentils are tender (two hours in my crockpot). Add zucchini and salt (add jalapeno pepper, if using one). When zucchini are almost tender, add the canned tomatoes.

Feeling like a cold is coming on? Throat a little scratchy? Got a bit of post-nasal drip? Two staples to stock in your kitchen are garlic and ginger. I’ve cooked up the following concoction for mild ear-nose-throat ailments:

- Peel one garlic clove.
- Cut off one piece of ginger from fresh ginger root.
  Slice off the skin of the root.
- Optional: a leaf of dark greens, such as collards or kale
- Optional: a dash of hot pepper sauce or a bit of a hot pepper
- Optional: fresh lemon (thanks for the reminder, Robin)

Place all ingredients in a mug. Boil some water, and pour it into the mug. Let it steep for about two minutes. Sip, and enjoy.

For my kids, who refuse the garlic, I put in a slice of ginger and a large spoonful of honey.

I am going to restate the obvious: make sure to get enough sleep. And may I add that if the cough or sore throat persists, please see your doctor.

In another post, I’ll write up my garlic spread recipe. Coming soon.

• Health Benefits of Honey and Ginger
• Top Five Health Benefits of Garlic

Another tip: try giving up sugar and dairy products for the duration of your cold; that may help the healing process along.

This post is dedicated to a friend that I hope is feeling better than when she asked me for a home remedy.