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Ginger has been
in use since ancient times for its anti-inflammatory, carminative,
anti-flatulent, and anti-microbial properties.
The root contains
many health benefiting essential oils such as gingerol, zingerone, shogaol,
farnesene and small amounts of β-phelladrene, cineol, and citral. Gingerols
help improve the intestinal motility and has anti-inflammatory, painkiller
(analgesic), nerve soothing, anti-pyretic as well as anti-bacterial properties.
Studies have shown that it may reduce nausea induced by motion sickness or
pregnancy and may help relieve migraine headaches.
Zinger one, which
gives pungent character to the ginger root, has been found to be effective
against E.coli induced diarrhoea, especially in children.
This herb root is
low in calories and contains no cholesterol, but is very rich source of many
essential nutrients and vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), pantothenic
acid (vit.B-5) that are essential for optimum health.
It also contains
good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps
controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
Medicinal uses
Ginger root
slices boiled in hot water with added lemon or orange juice and honey is a
popular herbal drink in ayurvedic medicine to relieve common cold, cough, and
sore throat.
It is also used
as vehicle in many ayurvedic decoctions to mask bitterness and alter taste.
Gingerols
increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and have analgesic,
sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown
that it may reduce nausea caused by motion sickness or pregnancy and may
relieve migraine.
Bone Health: Ginger is known to boost bone health and relieve joint pain. Two
years ago, a study was conducted by the University of Miami that recruiting
several hundred patients from different backgrounds and ages, that suffered
from symptoms of osteoarthritis. The patients were then weaned away from
anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications for cleansing purposes. A week
later, they were split into two groups; one was put on a placebo, and the other
on ginger supplements. After six weeks of intensive dosage, a survey was
conducted among the two groups. Both groups felt improvement, but 63% of the
ginger group felt a notable pain reduction, while only half of the placebo
group recorded notable improvement. The last test was for the patients to walk
the distance of 50 feet, which proved to be the far easier for the ginger
group, and their results showed twice as much improvement than those test
subjects on placebos.
Ginger has a number of unique organic
compounds which have actually been named gingerols, and these are powerful
anti-inflammatory compounds, some of the most powerful that can be found in
food. These gingerols have been directly associated with improvements in knee
inflammation and associated pain, as well as suppressing the inflammatory
compounds like cytokines and chemokines at the source, before they can even
begin to affect the body. Ginger represents both a preventative measure and a
treatment for inflammation and its associated pain.
Diarrhoea: Ginger has been used since ancient times to cure diarrhoea, and
it was more recently proven by researchers that ginger indeed helps, since it
prevents stomach spasms and gases that contribute to and stimulate diarrhoea.
In China, ginger powder has been given to those with diarrhoea with great
success for thousands of years; scientists have concluded that the ancient ways
are indeed beneficial for this condition.
Excess Gas: Ginger is a very strong carminative, meaning that it induces
excess gas to leave the body. Excess gas does more than leave you in an
uncomfortable situation if you can’t hold your gas to yourself, it can also be
a dangerous situation for your health. Too much gas built up in your system can
force upwards and put pressure on delicate organs in the torso. A carminative
like ginger forces the gas down and out in a healthy way, and also prevents
additional gas from building up again.
Digestion: Ginger has been discovered to be a facilitator of the digestive process.
The elevated sugar levels after a meal may cause the stomach to reduce its
natural rate of emptying its contents. Ginger helps in regulating high sugar
levels that may disrupt digestion and soothe the stomach, thus, maintaining its
regular rhythm. Along with that, ginger has a number of compounds that improve
the absorption of nutrients and minerals from the food we eat. This is why
ginger is also frequently used as an appetizer or a aperitif, since it can
stimulate the appetite while also preparing the digestive system for an influx
of food. Ginger is popular in Asian countries as an appetizer or raw menu item
for precisely that reason.
Prevents Cancer: One of the most exciting developments in the discussion of
ginger and its impact on human health has been the positive correlation between
the organic compounds in ginger and the prevention of cancer. Gingerols, those
same compounds which give ginger its anti-inflammatory qualities, have also
been shown to prevent carcinogenic activity in the colon that can lead to
colorectal cancer. This is yet another way that ginger benefits the
gastrointestinal system, making it such a perfect addition on the side of every
meal. However, more recent studies have also connected these gingerols to
apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, thereby reducing tumours and the growth of
cancerous cells, without harming the healthy cells around them.
Detoxifies and
Disinfects: Ginger is good at promoting sweating in those
who eat, which is always a good thing, in moderation. Sweat not only cleans out
the pores and allows your body to eliminate toxins through the liquid, but
research has also shown that sweat includes a germ-fighting compound, named
dermicidin. It has been positively connected to reduced bacterial and viral
infections in a person who sweats regularly, since it can create a sheen on the
skin, a protective layer of previously unknown proteins!
Sexual Activity: A known aphrodisiac, ginger has been used for years to arouse
desire and enhance sexual activity. Ginger’s scent has a unique allure that
helps in establishing the sexual connection. Not to mention, ginger also helps
increase blood circulation, hence blood flows more easily to the mid-section of
the body, an important area for sexual performance!
Menstrual Cramps: Cramps are the body’s way of alarming an individual to some type
of danger or damage. In this case, prostaglandins, which are hormones that
function as chemical messengers, are the key activators of symptoms such as
cramps, pains, and fevers. Scientists believe that high levels of
prostaglandins contribute to increased menstrual cramps. Ginger helps by
reducing the levels of prostaglandins in the body, hence relieving the cramps.
Nausea: Studies have concluded that ginger helps in curing nausea connected
with pregnancy, motion sickness and chemotherapy. Its quick absorption and
rapid regulation of body functions cures nausea without the side effects of
modern medications.
Flu: Ginger has been prescribed to fight illness and infection for
ages. Its soothing effect helps to reduce the body’s emergency symptom
responses to the damaged cells in the body. While the white cells work on
patching the cells and defending against the illness, ginger acts a barrier to
the high levels of prostaglandins that induce fever, headaches, and cramps.
Other health benefits of ginger currently
under research are its function in reducing heart diseases, arthritis,
migraines, depression, and curing stress-related anxiety disorders.
Ginger may, at times, have side effects for those
suffering from gallstones, since the herb incites the release of bile from the
gallbladder. Therefore, if this sort of condition is expected, or if you have a
history of gallbladder conditions, it is best to consult a doctor before
consuming ginger.
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