Health & Fitness

Health Benefits Of Ginger

Ginger is one of the world’s seven most potent disease-fighting spices. From ancient India and China to Greece and Rome, the rhizome (root) of ginger has been revered as a culinary and medicinal spice. Gingerbread, ginger beer and preserved ginger are all familiar products. But ginger is more than a seasoning – its medicinal properties have been valued and used throughout the ages. It has been widely regarded for centuries as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. Find out why and how ginger can benefit you in this video.

 

Health Benefits

  • Ginger tea is great to drink when you feel a cold coming on. It is a diaphoretic tea, meaning that it will warm you from the inside and promote perspiration. It is also good when you don’t have a cold and just want to warm up!
  • The many curative properties of ginger are widely researched. Used on the skin it can stimulate the circulation and soothe burns. It encourages perspiration, so it can be used in feverish conditions such as influenza or colds.
  • Ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating discomfort and pain in the stomach. Ginger is regarded as a substance that promotes the elimination of excessive gas from the digestive system and soothes the intestinal tract. Colic, and dyspepsia , respond particularly well to ginger.
  • Ginger root appears to reduce the symptoms associated with motion sickness including dizziness and nausea.
    Ginger has also been used to treat the nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy.
  • Ginger contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances are believed to explain why so many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain levels and improvements in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly.

Ginger is very safe for a broad range of complaints, whether it is taken in a concentrated capsule form, eaten fresh or sipped as a tea or ginger ale. Ginger contains moderate amounts of oxalate. Individuals with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones should avoid over-consuming ginger. If you’re unsure or concerned whether it is safe for you to consume ginger always consult your doctor.