That thick curry where you have long been adding ginger mash is not only sumptuous for your taste-buds, it has got some health benefits as well. Yes, you have heard it right – ginger has got tremendous health values. History is a clear evidence of it - Pythagoras is one of its greatest examples who used ginger in ancient Greece. Even King Henry VIII of England used ginger to protect people from plague. So, without wasting time let’s get straight to the health benefits of ginger, the perennial herb mostly grown in China and India.
Indigestion
If your stomach is upset because of indigestion, a chunk of ginger can easily do the healing trick. It's an effective carminative (relieves gas and its pain) and it gives quick relief from stomach uneasiness. Ginger also relieves bloating and gas. If taken before meals, ginger helps prevent the symptoms of indigestion whereas taken after food helps in digestion. Ginger helps break down proteins, aiding the digestion process.
Treats Nausea and Morning Sickness
Ginger has been widely used to prevent as well as treat morning sickness. Women during pregnancy complaining about morning sickness and nausea can get quick and reliable relief from ginger. A small bite of the ginger root with a bit salt can bring magical relief.
Ginger Helps Reduce Gastrointestinal Problems
Ginger has also been used in the treatment of minor gastrointestinal problems such as heartburn. Researches have proved that ginger improves muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract. So, the next time you eat more fried stuffs and chicken leg pieces, don’t forget to have a small ginger part – you would feel as fresh as ever again.
Ginger Helps relieve Cough and Cold
Ginger is extremely helpful for people who are suffering from cough and cold. A cup of ginger tea can be a great way to sooth the scratchiness owing to coughing. In cough and cold, ginger can also be taken with salt.
Lowers LDL Cholesterol - Ginger root extract can help reduce the levels of
LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body, reducing the risk of developing heart disease.
Alleviates High Blood Pressure - Ginger helps in improving and stimulating the circulation of the muscles surrounding blood vessels. As a result, the body gets proper blood flow and helps to stay oneself far from high blood pressure.
Helpful in Other Ailments
Ginger is helpful in treating many other diseases also. Rheumatism, gout, sexual deficiencies, allergies, toothaches, etc. can also be treated with ginger.
Dosage and Administration
- Indigestion: 2 to 4 grams a day
- Motion sickness: 1 gram 30 minutes before travel; for continuing symptoms, 0.5 to 1 gram every 4 hours.
- To prevent vomiting: 0.5 to 2 grams daily
- Arthritis: 1 to 2 grams daily
- Pregnancy: For nausea associated with pregnancy, women can take up to 1 gram daily, but should not use ginger for extended period of time.
Ginger Constituents
Ginger contains approximately 1-4 volatile oils. Volatile oils are nothing but the active constituents that are responsible for ginger's medicinal effects as well as its characteristic odor and taste. The pungent constituents are known as gingerols and shogaols while the aromatic constituents in ginger include zingiberene and bisabolene. One thing to remember – due to the presence of these gingerol and shogaol, ginger works as an effective remedy in nausea.
