You may have heard your parents and grandmothers recommending a cup of ginger tea for so many of your health woes, be it an upset tummy, joint pain, nausea or cold and flu, and they may not be entirely wrong in showing such strong faith in the tuber and the umpteen benefits of ginger. Ginger is a perennial herb native to China and India known as Zingiber officinale. Often referred to as a root, ginger is actually a stem which grows underground. Indians have particularly used ginger in their culinary preparations for about 4000 years, but that’s not all. Ginger is also replete with multiple medicinal properties and health benefits. According to Ayurveda especially, the multiple uses of ginger, makes the tuber on of the most significant herbs in the ancient practice. According to the book Healing Foods by DK Publishing, its active constituent “Gingerol has analgesic, sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial effects, another component zingerone is an antioxidant.”
Uses And Health Benefits Of Ginger
The pungent root is known for its ability to settle an upset stomach. Ginger can work wonders for digestive health. The book Healing Foods says that ginger “protects and heals the gut, hastens the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, and reduces wind, bloating and cramps. It also awakens the taste buds, and gets digestive juices flowing.” According to The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad, “The first key to prevention of indigestion is to enhance the digestive fire. One of the best herbs to kindle agni is ginger. Before each meal, chop or grate a little fresh ginger, add a few drops of lime juice and a pinch of salt, and chew it up."Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Clinical Operations and Coordination Manager, Baidyanath, and Ayurvedic expert, says, “Ginger is a great digestive tonic, which improves gastric motility. So it alleviates constipation, vomiting, acidity, and protects gastric lining against acidity.”
(Also Read: 7 Miraculous Benefits of Ginger Juice: From Better Digestion to Beautiful Hair)One of the best Ginger benefits is a great digestive tonic abilities which improves gastric motility
According to the book Healing Foods by DK Publishing, “Its volatile oils have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which makes it an excellent remedy for flu, headaches and menstrual pains. It can also lower medication intake in osteoarthritis.” (Also Read: Why You Should Have a Glass of Ginger Water Every Day) 3.Traditional Remedy for ColdAs per Ayurveda, one of the best remedies for cold is ginger. Dr. Vasant Lad in his book mentions a couple of effective remedies like
“combining ginger (1 part), cinnamon (1 part) and lemon grass (2 parts). Steep 1 tsp of the formula for about 10 mins in 1 cup of hot water, strain it and add honey if you like. This tea will help reduce symptoms of cold.”Another remedy you can try is ginger cinnamon cardamom tea. Mix ginger (2 parts), cinnamon (3 parts), cardamom (just a pinch) and add honey for taste if you like. (Also Read: Grocery Shopping Guide: How to Buy and Store Ginger)
The active compounds in ginger can ease morning sickness and nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy and after surgery, according to the book, Healing Foods.
According to Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, chewing some ginger with lemon and black salt may help recover lost appetite. If you've been suffering from the same, you may want to try this home remedy to recover your appetite.(Also Read: 8 Health Benefits Of Turmeric (Haldi): Getting Back To The Roots)
Ladies take note! Intake of ginger powder may help significantly to reduce menstrual cramps, also called dysmenorrhea. Ginger is one of the traditional remedies used to alleviate menstrual pain. You can also take a hot cup of ginger tea to bring relief from the pain.
Experts have also linked ginger to lower levels of Low Density Lipoproteins or "bad" cholesterol, which are known to increase risk of heart disease. Add this in your daily diet and watch out for effective results.
Gingerol, the bioactive compound in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections. According to the book Healing Foods, “its active constituent gingerol has analgesic, sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial effects.” Ginger extract has abilities to inhibit the growth of different types of bacteria, especially oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Often referred to as a root, ginger is actually a stem which grows underground.
Here are some amazing ginger benefits you may not have known about:
Uses And Health Benefits Of Ginger
1.Settles Upset Stomach and Aids Digestion
The pungent root is known for its ability to settle an upset stomach. Ginger can work wonders for digestive health. The book Healing Foods says that ginger “protects and heals the gut, hastens the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, and reduces wind, bloating and cramps. It also awakens the taste buds, and gets digestive juices flowing.” According to The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad, “The first key to prevention of indigestion is to enhance the digestive fire. One of the best herbs to kindle agni is ginger. Before each meal, chop or grate a little fresh ginger, add a few drops of lime juice and a pinch of salt, and chew it up."Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Clinical Operations and Coordination Manager, Baidyanath, and Ayurvedic expert, says, “Ginger is a great digestive tonic, which improves gastric motility. So it alleviates constipation, vomiting, acidity, and protects gastric lining against acidity.”
(Also Read: 7 Miraculous Benefits of Ginger Juice: From Better Digestion to Beautiful Hair)
2.Fights Inflammation
According to the book Healing Foods by DK Publishing, “Its volatile oils have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which makes it an excellent remedy for flu, headaches and menstrual pains. It can also lower medication intake in osteoarthritis.” (Also Read: Why You Should Have a Glass of Ginger Water Every Day)
The incredible benefits of Ginger makes for an excellent remedy for flu
“combining ginger (1 part), cinnamon (1 part) and lemon grass (2 parts). Steep 1 tsp of the formula for about 10 mins in 1 cup of hot water, strain it and add honey if you like. This tea will help reduce symptoms of cold.”Another remedy you can try is ginger cinnamon cardamom tea. Mix ginger (2 parts), cinnamon (3 parts), cardamom (just a pinch) and add honey for taste if you like. (Also Read: Grocery Shopping Guide: How to Buy and Store Ginger)
As per Ayurveda, one of the best benefits of ginger is its ability to combat cold
4. Alleviates Nausea
The active compounds in ginger can ease morning sickness and nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy and after surgery, according to the book, Healing Foods.
The active compounds in ginger can ease morning sickness, motion sickness and nausea
5. Helps Recover Appetite
According to Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, chewing some ginger with lemon and black salt may help recover lost appetite. If you've been suffering from the same, you may want to try this home remedy to recover your appetite.(Also Read: 8 Health Benefits Of Turmeric (Haldi): Getting Back To The Roots)
The incredible ginger benefits can also treat loss of appetite
6. Can Reduce Menstrual Pain
Ladies take note! Intake of ginger powder may help significantly to reduce menstrual cramps, also called dysmenorrhea. Ginger is one of the traditional remedies used to alleviate menstrual pain. You can also take a hot cup of ginger tea to bring relief from the pain.
Intake of ginger powder may help significantly to reduce menstrual cramps
7. May Lower Cholesterol Levels
Experts have also linked ginger to lower levels of Low Density Lipoproteins or "bad" cholesterol, which are known to increase risk of heart disease. Add this in your daily diet and watch out for effective results.
Experts have also linked the benefits of ginger to lower levels of bad cholesterol
8. Can Help Fight Infections
Gingerol, the bioactive compound in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections. According to the book Healing Foods, “its active constituent gingerol has analgesic, sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial effects.” Ginger extract has abilities to inhibit the growth of different types of bacteria, especially oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Ginger extract can inhibit the growth of different types of bacteria, especially oral bacteria
9. Eases Joint Pain
According to Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, the high anti inflammatory properties of ginger can ease joint pain to a great extent. “It can be used in food, as medicine, dry powder or fresh root slices.” One little stem and so many benefits! What are you waiting for? Load up on the many medicinal and healing benefits of ginger right away.Advertisement
About Sushmita SenguptaSharing a strong penchant for food, Sushmita loves all things good, cheesy and greasy. Her other favourite pastime activities other than discussing food includes, reading, watching movies and binge-watching TV shows.