How to deal with moldy ginseng?

Ginseng is a very valuable tonic and should be well preserved after purchase and not allowed to mold. But what to do if ginseng is moldy? Generally, moldy food can no longer be eaten. Moldy means it has become moldy, and moldy food must contain substances that are harmful to the human body. It was originally intended to maintain health and improve health, but eating moldy food often has the opposite effect. No matter how valuable moldy food is, it is most reasonable to throw it away decisively. Don't lose the big picture for the sake of a small saving.

For ginseng that is truly dried, seal it in a plastic bag to isolate it from the air and store it in a cool place. Ginseng that has been infested with insects should be gently tapped to remove the eggs, urine and insect bodies, and then placed in the sun or baked at 50°C to kill the eggs and insect bodies. Ginseng with mold spots should be dried in the sun or in an oven first, then the mold dust should be brushed off with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush, then brushed clean with warm water and dried in the sun.

Here are some ways to preserve ginseng:

(1) Desiccant drying storage method: Place an appropriate amount of desiccant, such as quicklime, charcoal, silica gel, etc., at the bottom of a sealed cylinder, tube, or box to make the storage environment dry. Then wrap the ginseng with paper, put it in the container, cover it tightly to prevent insect infestation and mildew.

(2) Low temperature storage method: Put the dried ginseng in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator. If the ginseng is not dry, it should be placed in a refrigerator freezer first, freeze-dried and then placed in a storage cabinet.

(3) Conventional storage method: For ginseng that is completely dry, seal it in a plastic bag to isolate it from air and store it in a cool place. Ginseng that has been infested with insects should be gently tapped to remove the eggs, urine and insect bodies, and then placed in the sun or baked at 50℃ to kill the eggs and insect bodies. Ginseng with mold spots should be dried in the sun or in an oven first, then the mold dust should be brushed off with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush, then brushed clean with warm water and dried in the sun.

Can you eat moldy ginseng? Experts suggest that it is best not to eat it. No matter what it is, as long as it is moldy, it is spoiled, which means that the substance itself has changed. Even if moldy ginseng contains elements that are beneficial to health, its moldy mold will be harmful to humans. It may cause enteritis or diarrhea, or even drug poisoning (I have had a terrible heart attack, which was very painful and I thought I was going to die). Don't eat it just because you feel sorry for it. Don't lose the big picture for the small.

The pharmacist said that the refrigerator is relatively humid and contains many bacteria. If Chinese medicinal materials are kept in the refrigerator for a long time, they will easily become damp and deteriorate. Not only will this fail to cure diseases and improve health, it will also bring side effects. Here, the pharmacist reminds the public that precious Chinese medicines such as red ginseng, codonopsis, gastrodia, deer antler, etc. can be fried with appropriate amount of glutinous rice or sticky rice until they turn yellow. After cooling, put them into a sealed glass bottle or porcelain jar together with the Chinese medicinal materials and store them in a cool and ventilated place.

What to do if ginseng is moldy? The simplest way is to throw it away. Life is precious, but life is more precious. Eat the food while it’s still fresh. Don’t stockpile. Buy only as much as you can eat. Don’t wait until the expiration date before you remember to eat it. No matter how delicious the food is, and how expensive it is, please eat it while it is still fresh.