Ginger has long been renowned for its use in cooking and for its aromatic smell, but did you know that there are also many health benefits of ginger root such as curing nausea and helping with digestion.
What is Ginger ?
Ginger is a plant that comes from southeast Asia, and is now also cultivated in Jamaica and other tropical areas. The ginger herb root is used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Ginger is a natural spice and is known world wide for its smell and pungent taste. Ginger has been used by Chinese herbalists for more than 2,500 years as flavouring in food and also as a medicine.
What are the Health Benefits Of Ginger ?
There is a wide range of benefits of ginger such as nausea, digestive problems, circulation and arthritis. Nausea caused during pregnancy or by travelling is one of the benefits of ginger root. Ginger is also known to have the ability to calm an upset stomach and to promote the flow of bile. Stomach cramps can be eased and circulation can also be improved. Ginger supports a healthy cardiovascular system by making platelets less sticky which in turn reduces circulatory problems.
Ginger oil used for massage can help relieve painful arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is often included in many herbal decongestants and can help to minimise the symptoms of respiratory conditions, colds and allergies.
With all the benefits of ginger and continuing research, the ginger root is fast becoming a very popular medicinal herb.
How to Use Ginger ?
Ginger can be freshly grated and used in cooking. It is also available as a supplement which can be taken on a daily bases.
Gated ginger root mixed with diluted lime juice can help to soothe the digestive tract and reduce flatulence. It can be made into oil and used to massage areas of localised chronic pain. It can also be taken in an extract form to reduce inflammation.
When choosing a ginger supplement it is essential to choose ones that contain ginger's pungent compounds. These are gingerols and shogaols and are the ginger plant's active ingredients.
Ginger can be used in extract pill form and the dosage for this is 100 to 200mg up to three times a day. Fresh powdered ginger should be taken three times a day ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon. Fresh ginger root can be eaten every four hours but no more than three times a day and should be approximately ½ inch and peeled. Ginger tea which now comes prepackaged can be taken several times a day. Crystallised ginger can be taken twice a day.
With such a wide range ginger products available and with the ever increasing benefits of ginger being discovered ginger or a product of ginger is something that everyone should have in their homes.
Additional Information
In additional to the many benefits it is also good to know that there are no known drug side effects. Ginger does not interact with any other nutrients or drugs in the body and ginger in all forms is very safe to take.
Ginger capsules should be taken with a full glass of water or fluid. Ginger can be taken the day after surgery to prevent post surgery nausea but should be stopped at least three to four days prior to surgery, due to the fact that it can make blood platelets less sticky and therefore increases the risk of bleeding. For people undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy, ginger taken with food can help reduce stomach irritation.
There are, however, some cautions that have been recommended. These include not taking ginger for more than the first two months of pregnancy and no more than 250mg four times a day. People with gallstones should consult their doctors prior to taking ginger as it is know to increase bile flow.
With all this in mind it is clearly visible that the benefits of ginger far out weight the cautions mentioned.
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