Ginger has been used since ancient times in Asian cooking and medicines. Its anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it one of the healthiest spices on earth. Ginger is a rhizome or a root, which is largely used as a spice in cooking from beverage to main dish, soups & salads to desserts. It belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, which also includes Turmeric and Cardamom. Fresh ginger root is juicy and fleshy, and is a bit of mild taste then the mature ginger. The mature roots are more of fibrous and with a strong spicy flavor. Its roots can be used as fresh, dried powder as a spice, oil form and also as juice. Though, flavors of fresh ginger vary from dried powder.
It is used in different ways to cure some of the common conditions. Since childhood, we are using it as a remedy to cure cough and cold. This root is extremely effective in relieving symptoms of nausea, loss of appetite, menstrual pain, joint pain, headache, and motion sickness.
Health Benefits of Ginger
- Nausea and Indigestion: Ginger has worked wonders on people suffering from morning sickness and severe nausea during pregnancy. This wonder root has been used as a digestive aid in people suffering from constipation, bloating and other gastrointestinal disorders.
- Anti-Inflammatory: It’s anti-inflammatory properties come from the compound called gingerols, which helps to reduce pain caused by inflammation. It has been effective against muscle pain and soreness. It is also useful to relieve migraine headaches and helps reduce pain during Menstruation. It also helps reduce inflammation of arthritis.
- Lowers Blood Sugar: Ginger may have great anti-diabetic properties. It has been seen that ginger helps to lower blood sugar levels and improve various heart disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Lower Cholesterol: After a research, it has been found that ginger can lead to major reductions in LDL Cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels, and prevents blood clotting.
- Anti-Bacterial: It can prevent the growth of different types of bacteria in our body. Its anti-bacterial properties fight against bacteria such as Salmonella, which causes diarrhea. It is also effective against oral bacteria due to the inflammatory disease of the gums.
- Boosts Immunity: It has been known to boost immunity from the ancient times. Ginger helps your body cleanse toxins and fight against common cold, cough and flu symptoms. Ginger improves blood circulation which helps remove toxins and viruses from the body.
Apart from these, ginger helps to eliminate congestion, hot flashes in women during menopause, and cleanses and stimulates blood. It is also beneficial in respiratory problems and reliefs asthma symptoms.
Ways to add ginger to your daily diet:
- Make a lemon herbal tea to soothe your sore throat.
- Add a piece of ginger to your juice and smoothies.
- Add it to your Asian stir fries, curries, lentils, or soups to make it taste great and aromatic.
- You can also add this spice to you regular tea or coffee, and even lemonades to make it more flavorful.
- Add equal quantities of ginger juice and honey, mix it and take 1 teaspoon thrice a day. This helps relieve from severe cold.
- Add dried powder to breads, cookies, spice cakes, pumpkin pie.
* Consuming excess of fresh ginger or dried one can sometimes cause heart burn and may react badly to individuals who have had ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or blocked intestines. So be careful in using it when you are ailing with any physical conditions. Always ask a health physician before you start anything new to your routine.