A part of wellness for the working millennial is quick relief from any pain which is part of a normal working routine. Ginger has been used over centuries in our homes as a natural cure for many of these general ailments. It contains bio active compounds which have a powerful effect on body and mind. Therefore, this is an appropriate forum to introduce the health benefits of ginger root to the working millennial.
Ginger is a natural plantation grown as tonic. Its rhizome or the stem growing from the root is the part consumed. The rhizome is yellowish with a brown skin. The thickness of the skin depends on the time of harvesting. Typical harvesting times are five to nine months. A longer harvesting times makes the skin thicker. The flavor is strong and peppery. Interestingly, ginger plants do not grow in wild and seems to be nature’s gift for human beings.
Ginger root has been used as fresh rhizome, dried, pickled and as flavoring agents across the globe. It contains anti-bacteria elements but almost of nil nutrient value. It can be used as a tonic though. The origins of ginger are debated but today used in many herbal remedies and food flavoring almost everywhere. We discuss some reasons why it is so widespread used in this article and what are the associated health benefits.
It is a word of mouth to eat raw ginger before and after meal to stoke the gastric fire. Thereby regular use is claimed to improve digestion.
Anti-Oxidant
The health benefits of ginger root lies in the ketones found in it specially Gingerol. Gingerol also defines the spicy aroma and pungent taste of ginger. It is most abundant in fresh ginger and the proportion reduces as the rhizome dries.
Ginger rhizomes contain a high level of anti-oxidants. It helps in suppressing the age-related oxidants. Oxidants are toxins in our body causing a number of lifestyle related ailments. They effect the DNA causing mutations in it and thereby ensuring long term damage to our health and wellness. Anti-oxidants suppress these toxins in our body reducing the likelihood of these ailments.
The anti-oxidant property of ginger helps it prevents infections. Common cold and flu and known to be cured when using ginger or ginger based drinks. It is an anti-bacteria element and inhibits and extracts many toxic bacteria in our body.
Anti-Inflammatory
The aromatic flavor causing substance gingerol is also responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger. The most popular and known health benefits of ginger root is as a pain reliever in muscles and joints. This property of ginger has been widely acknowledged and is the main reason of cultivating it as a medicinal herb.
Dried ginger has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Consumption of a reasonable amount of ginger enhances heat production in our body resulting in increased oxygen consumption. This acts to reduce the pain in our muscles and joints.
Menstrual periods are the most difficult days for women. The associated pain is extremely difficult to bear. This anti-inflammatory property of ginger makes it favorable in women to provide relief in menstrual pain. It is known to reduce pain in menstruating women when taken on first three days of the cycle.
Anti-Nauseating
What do you do when feeling nauseating? Feeling like throwing up?
The cure is ginger. This use of ginger as an anti-nauseating agent has been known for ages. It is the most common recommendation for sea-sickness or any kind of motion sickness. Overall, ginger is recommended in a variety of situations causing nausea and vomiting.
Ginger is known to cure chronic indigestion. This is caused mainly due to improper emptying of stomach. The characteristic pain is in the upper part of the stomach. Ginger has a property of breaking out and thereby eliminating intestinal gas. Thereby, cleaning the intestinal tract and relieving one of nausea and vomiting caused by it.
Side Effects
The medicinal uses of ginger has been known since many ancient cultures – The Chinese, Indian or the Romans. The use and effect has passed over generations via word of mouth. Modern clinical researches are still trying to establish some effects known and trying to understand any side-effects associated with it.
As we wait for clinical researches to establish whether the health benefits of ginger root is real or myth, we can follow some discipline in usage.
High dosage must be avoided as it is a heat generating food. Over-usage will give an upset stomach and loose motion. This must be taken care of when the outside climate is warm.
Ginger is also not recommended in any form of hemorrhage, vertigo or chronic skin conditions as per Ayurveda – The Ancient Indian Treatise on medicine.
Use of ginger by pregnant women must be solely after your gynaecologist’s advice. Strictly do not deviate from it.
Conclusion
Ginger is nature’s gift and helps in relieving some common ailments in our everyday life. Its anti-bacterial elements helps in developing our immune. Its anti-oxidant properties helps in preventing toxins in our body to grow. It is a natural pain-reliever and anti-nauseating agent.
However, be cautious to try ginger roots in reasonable quantities as the side effects of large dosage is not well-established in modern clinical research.
Would love to hear more from your experience of usage of ginger as a natural medicine for many common ailments. Do drop your comments in the comment box below and watch out this space for more such articles.
I didn’t know all these benefits of ginger , at my house dad prefers ginger tea ( you just cut the roots into pieces and boil them and make some tea) I hate it most, only drank it once by afyer reading this I guess I must try and not miss put on the benefits that this nature given gift has got. Thanks for an eye opener and very informative article.
Hi Donny,
Thanks for your comment. I too don’t like drinking tea with just boiling ginger in it. I can share a tip there- add honey to sweeten or if you are not sweet tooth, then add some lemon and rock salt. That will taste great.
Will look forward to hear fro you how you liked it.
I absolutely love ginger and I always keep a fresh ginger roots in my home. Ginger, lemon and honey tea is my go to remedy for colds, flu and sore throats before reaching for any over the counter or prescription medications. I also keep it on hand for nausea – I always used ginger tea for my morning sickness during both my pregnancies. Ginger is fantastic for so many things, thank you for this great post.
Thanks for your comments Lynne,
Great that you find the usage of Ginger so obvious. And thanks for sharing your experience with it.
I am really happy I found your post about ginger! I kept hearing good things about it, but never liked the taste of it. Until I discovered tea mix, where it’s mixed together with turmeric. Now this tea is a part of my daily routine. But what I did not know about the ginger (therefore happiness of encountering your post 😊 ), is that it can provide relief in menstrual pain. I will make sure to consume more ginger during first days of my cycle. Hopefully, it will help me to bear the pain.
Thanks for your comments Katja,
Thanks for sharing your experience with using Ginger in your everyday life. Yes, ginger is claimed to lessen the pain during menstruation if taken on the first 3 days of the cycle. It is a very difficult days in a women’s life and nature has provided a cure to lessen it.
Ginger is so healthy!
A couple of years ago I was so sick, had a bad cough and running nose.
And then someone told me to dring a ginger tea. I cooked a very strong (it was very spicy) one for two days and my illness was washed away. I thought it was a miracle.
Love it!
Absolutely, Ginger is a first home-based cure for common cold and flu. Although strong dosage causes an upset stomach!
Stay Well!!!