Ginger is a herb plant which originated in China and some time later it spread to India, Southeast Asia, West Africa and then to the Caribbean.
Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to Asian stir fries and many fruit and vegetable dishes. The strong taste is due to the fact that it contains a mixture of phenolic compounds and essential yet volatile oils. It is widely used as a spice in foods and because of its medicinal qualities, has been used in medication too.
Health benefits of ginger root
- Immune Boosting Action
Ginger can help promote healthy sweating, which is often helpful during colds and flus. A good sweat may do a lot more than simply assist detoxification. German researchers have recently found that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting agent that may help fight off infections. - Prevents Cancer
Ginger slows the growth of colorectal cancer cells additionally it has the ability to combat other types of cancer, including lung, breast, skin, prostate and pancreatic cancers. - Promotes Health Heart
High in potassium, ginger is great for heart health and the good amount of manganese present in ginger helps protect the heart, blood vessels and urinary passages.
- Controls Diabets
Ginger can help lower your blood sugar level and increase the effectiveness of insulin and other drugs used for treating diabetes. - Reduces Menstrual Pain
Ginger is a powerful natural painkiller, hence it can be used to reduce menstrual pain. Women suffering from menstrual pain can use ginger powder or ginger capsules to get relief or can also drink ginger tea. This gives instant relief from the pain.
- Ginger May Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness
Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain. These effects are believed to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory properties. - Treats many forms of nausea
It has a long history of use as a sea sickness remedy, and there is some evidence that it may be as effective as prescription medication. Ginger may also relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery, and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. But it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness. - Reduces cholesterol
It lowers cholesterol level, regulates blood pressure, and helps prevent blood from clotting, which in turn helps reduce the risk of various heart diseases. - Boosts digestion
Ginger appears to speed up emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort. - Reduces blood pressure
Ginger root can help you reduce your blood pressure by preventing blood clots from forming in your arteries and blood vessels. Blood clots can restrict or prevent blood from flowing through your circulatory system, which can lead to hypertension.
Ideas to use ginger
- Ginger is very good during fall and winter as an ingredient of cup of tea. You can try commercial organic ginger teas, or make your own from ginger root. Simply chop the root into small pieces and boil for about five minutes.
- Try some fresh ginger just before a meal to stoke your digestive fire and support a healthy gut!
- Experts recommend drinking one glass of warm water mixed with one teaspoon of ginger juice first thing in the morning to regulate blood sugar.
- You can also use sliced or grated ginger to spice up any dish, as I frequently do with wild/basmati rice.
You can grate it up and squeeze it into a any hot tea, add it to juices, baked goods, smoothies and more… experiment and have fun! 🙂
