Health Benefits of Ginger that we are not aware. Use it and get the
health benefits of this spice that we use to enhance the taste of our foods.
Grate ginger into a cup of hot water with honey and lemon for quick relief of
many symptoms.
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| Health Benefits of Ginger |
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If you've ever taken ginger ale for an upset tummy, you understand the
health benefits of ginger. Going back more than 2,000 years in China, the herb
has been used to treat nausea, upset stomach and help with digestion and
diarrhea.
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Used in stir fries and Asian cooking, the spicy, pungent underground
rhizome of the ginger plant is firm with a striated texture. It may be yellow,
white or red, depending on the variety, and is covered with a thin or thick
brownish skin, depending on whether the plant was harvested mature or
young.
What's ginger good for?
As it turns out, plenty. A 2009 study found ginger supplements when
taken alongside anti-vomiting medicine reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea in
patients by 40 percent.
"Therapeutically, it's also used for poor circulation and lower
back pain. On an emotional level, it can act as a catalyst if you are
procrastinating and lack the drive to take action," says Laurie
Steelsmith, a licensed naturopathic doctor and author of "Natural Choices
for Women's Health.
Studies have shown it can also ease muscle pain, eliminate inflammation,
help with painful menstruation and migraines, and may even slow or kill ovarian
and colon cancer cells.
Here are some other health benefits of ginger:
Nausea and motion sickness
Ginger is well known for its ability to ease nausea, and it's helpful
for motion and sea sickness. Women suffering from morning sickness were given
beverages with ginger during the first trimester of pregnancy, and when
compared with women given a placebo, ginger alleviated the nausea in a large
majority of the cases.
Diabetes complications
Studies show ginger may reduce urine protein levels, decrease
water intake and urine output, and reverse proteinuria, which is kidney damage
caused by too much protein in the urine. Ginger may also protect nerves in
diabetics and lower blood fat levels. "Ginger can help increase
circulation, thin blood, and lower both blood pressure and cholesterol,"
says author Steelsmith.
Arthritis
A placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study published in the
journal Osteoarthritis Cartilage found patients with painful arthritis in the
knee who were given ginger vs. a placebo experienced significantly less pain
and loss of movement compared to those taking the placebo.
Cold and Flu
Chinese medicine practitioners commonly prescribe ginger to treat
symptoms of colds and flu. The root acts as an antihistamine and decongestant,
two cold-easing effects that can help with symptoms.
A Dose of Ginger
Ginger is susceptible to heat and oxygen, so handle carefully when using
this herb and store in a cool, dry place or the crisper bin of the refrigerator
for two to three weeks.
To make a tea, shave the skin from a piece of fresh ginger, cut
off a 2-inch chunk and slice it into 2 cups of water to simmer covered for 20
minutes. Remove the slices and pour into a mug and add honey and a squeeze of
lemon. Eat the slices after drinking the tea. Drink up to three cups of tea per
day, before meals.
Ginger capsules or powder are also available. Take at least 2,000
milligrams three times or more per day with or without food.
Do not take ginger with blood thinners without first consulting
your health care provider. Ginger may also lower blood sugar and interact with
blood pressure altering medications, so speak with your physician prior to
using ginger if you take any medications.
