Top 10 Health Benefits of Ginger
96Ginger is a perennial plant, distinguished by the white and yellowish-greenish flowers it produces, as well as its thick and long twisting rhizoid (stem). The ginger plant is known to have originated in China, however it has since then been cultivated in many other countries, including: India, South West Asia, West Africa and the Caribbean. The plant is famous for its concentrated, spicy aroma, which can be attributed to the fact that it is composed of up to 3% natural essential oils.
The rhizoid is the part of the plant which is generally sold and used today. It has been made widely available for eating and for the use of flavoring foods. It is also ground up and processed into all sorts of powders, tinctures, crystals, tonics and flavorings and then marketed in health food stores.
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Check out this great website for a full line of ginger based products. Unique ideas for multiple ways to ingest the root! - Ginger Throughout the Middle Ages
Trace the role of ginger throughout the middle ages. Informatie facts about this great root!
Below I have listed the top 10 health benefits attributed to this multi functional root:
- Ginger has carminative properties (anti spasmic) and can be used to calm in upset stomach, providing relief for the relief of bloating and gas.
- The intake of ginger helps stimulate the secretion of mucus, quieting your cough and soothing any scratchiness I your throat.
- Ginger has been proven (in multiple studies) to treat feelings of nausea, particularly in the form of seasickness, morning sickness, motion sickness and as a side effect of chemotherapy.
- Ginger contains anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold.
- Ginger acts as an antihistamine and aids in the treatment of allergies.
- Ginger displays anti inflammatory properties and can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various other muscular disorders. The chemical components of the root are instrumental in inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for causing inflammation. Thus the root has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment, in some cases, even more so than the NSAID's that are traditionally prescribed.
- Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of cramps. The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after a large meal in order to ease the digestion process.
- Due to its promotion of mucus secretion, ginger protects against the development of ulcers, unwanted holes in the lining of your stomach.
- Ginger has proven to help lower your cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots.
- Ginger is often used to settle an upset stomach or treat severe stomach ailments such as dyspepsia or colic. It is frequently used today in developing countries to treat diarrhea.
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Your very welcome! Crystalized ginger is also excellent for baking with - try it in gingerbread cookies or gingerbread for a yummy snack.
Annette,
Your hub is very informative and easy to read. Welcome to Hubpages, I am sure you will be an assett to the hub community.
J D Murrah
thanks for the positive feedback and encouraging remarks JD!
This is a great wealth of information on ginger, Annette. It will definitely be worth my time to fit ginger into a few more dishes for all of those great health benefits. Nice work!
Your fan.
Mon.
thanks mon - appreciate your support! You'll definitely find it worththe effort:)
When I experience toothache, I place a piece of dried salted ginger root next to the tooth and my pain subsides. Then, I visit my dentist to solve any dental problem that I may have. This relief from pain before the visit is a huge benefit to me, and so I would like to share that information with others. Similarly, clove or clove oil can also be used if you like the taste. Thank you.
wow, really informative hub, I didn't know that there are numerous health benefits ginger can give us.
Ginger may be powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.
Thanks for the info!
I have really became a ginger junky the last year. i always feel better after some ginger ale or sliced ginger. i have started making ginger ale with my own recipe. i fint it important to make sure that i dont add any sugar. i found that mixing some light doses of other helpful herbs and vitamins is helpful. i crack open a bottle when i feel a cold coming on. and a good portion of the time it will stop the cold in its tracks.
my stomach is very delicate when I eat certain foods, so I have always avoid the consumption of a lot of good healthy foods and vegetables, and some cooked foods as well, but since I started consuming ginger on the daily basis I feel much better eating most foods now. I love to drink Ginger tea made from fresh Ginger root slices, I add some honey and cinnamon to it, I even eat the root pieces.
Done what doctors can't do for me in the past 10 years.
Slice it up and steep it in your cammomile tea.
How long does Ginger stay without going bad?
Personally,it also helps a lot in cleansing the throatal passage and it's the fastest cure of colds and influenza simply by chewing it raw and swallowing its juice.
Annette:
Thanks for the informative article.
I can testify that recently when I had an upset stomach caused by eating the wrong food, a cup of chicken soup (stock) boiled with ginger slices did provide excellent soothing effects.
More importantly, the chicken-ginger concoction (taken 2 or 3 times a day) seemed to help keep my normally high blood pressure low, often to a level below 110/60. Are you aware of any formal scientific clinical studies that can substantiate my observations?
Do you know if it is safe to drink ginger soup on a daily basis for a long period of time, e.g., for the sake of controlling blood pressure? What are the adverse health effects of long-term consumption of ginger if there are any? Are there any peel-reviewed scientific publications on these topics?
Thanks.
Annette:
After submitting my comment to you a short while ago, I discovered an Internet article on ginger released by Mayo Clinic (copy right 2010). One of the sections addresses safety of taking ginger. I would like to share it with you and your readers because I am concerned about their safety.
Although generally considered safe to consume ginger, the article indicates that under special circumstances, ginger may present unwanted side-effects, for example, in pregnant women, menstruating women and patients undergoing anti-platelet treatments. I would urge these individuals to read the safety section (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginger/NS_patient and consult their doctors before consuming ginger.
Thanks for letting me post on your site. 5/12/10
I have been having heartburn and am trying ginger along with dietary changes. I read the Mayo Clinic article. I hope it helps!
can i ask, what is in ginger that can help in preventing ulcers?.
I like ginger too!
I've been taking ginger supplements to settle my stomach for years. I have a reaction to lactose in some products (not always, its weird) and ginger helps relieve the symptoms. I swear by it!
Very informative, thanks. Ginger is also renowned for it's heating qualities I like to add a few slices of fresh ginger when I'm brewing up my pot of RealChai for some extra winter warming zing!
gingers have no soul!
Ginger is great, include it in your recipes for healthy cooking!
I mix genger 1/4 tsp one tsp honey in a cup of coffee every day=ginger is expensive in stores but on inter net can get a lb for around $20-25 i use fronteer but are more,a bottle 1-1/2 oz can be $3.00 honey is also good for you
I love pickled ginger - great for the palate and great for the digestive track too! Didn't know all the other benefits you shared and never thought of ginger in my coffee with honey - hmmmm - I will try.
Apart from all the benefits one can derive from Ginger. One thing which you cannot forget is the Ginger Tea.
Ginger is a diuretic also. I found this out by accident after eating fresh ginger added to my food for a few weeks. Started wondering why I kept waking up in the middle of the night then I looked it up.
This is a really useful page packed with great info, thanks for posting.
I had a harsh cold/flu recently...and when I get sick like that...I burp a lot (lots of excess gas). I chop up a tablespoon of ginger, and steep it like a tea...and it really settles my stomach and relieve all my gas whether I'm burping or farting. the bonus is it really helps your sore throat, because of it's spicy properties
good for voice
Ginger may be good for you. I suspect it is, but where is the evidence for the 10 benefits claimed?
I never used to like ginger but since I now receive it in a community supported agriculture box each week, I have been noticing the benefits. I didn’t realise that ginger can help an upset stomach, a sore throat, nausea and the list goes on. It should be called a super food!
great stuff.really ginger works magic when mixed with honey and warm water.the cold would run faster than BOLT!!!
Nice post! I don't shy away from ginger. Ginger is a common ingredient in my household. It improves immune system and helps increase our body's metabolism.
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very helpfuul.i didnt know before that using ginger has alot of benefits to our health.
Ginger is a natural gift and when used with alovera juice, benefits patients of heart,prostrat enlargement, diabetese, and digestive difficulties.
Great! Thanks a lot for a wonderful explanation on ginger and it really works, better to replace your regular normal tea with ginger tea.
I didnt know that ginger have lots of health benefits..i jst love the ginger candy they sell in the chinese grocery...i eat a few pieces everyday!!!never have colds..must b effective,,i simply love ginger!
I love ginger tea. Great to know I benefit from something I love to ingest.Thanks for a great hub.Voted up and useful!
I found this hub via google, after searching on 'health benefits of ginger'. Nice hub. I love ginger, and eat loads of it (the crystallised version, so not sooo healthy due to all the sugar), but I was wondering about all the different things it might be good for.
I also like ginger tea, but the really spicy kind you find in Chinese supermarkets. :)
One day I would like to try the ginger version of Altoids. We don't get them here (except for the peppermint ones), so it'll have to be on a visit to the States. I think they would be extra strong and really great!
Im using ginger powder as my tea now for almost one year , and thanks God my blood pressure is now regulated and i seldom drink my maintenance medicine...
Ginger Powder is a very good natural medicine for hypertension.
Please use Ginger that are grown Organically this is better compare to those cultivated using pesticide,insecticides and other chemicals....
Does anyone know if ginger root or crystalized ginger relieves RLS? Please advise. ( thank you )
I like ginger too ,it cures cold if mix with lemon orange in a cup of tea.
Thanks for the wonderful information on the benefits of ginger, I have been using it in my cooking, but never knew its that useful. I think I have to try the tea aspect of it. You have made my day.
Quite by accident I discovered a health benefit of ginger. Recently bought a bag of ginger snaps. I ate 4 or 5 and about 3 hours later did a glucose readjng to find it much lower than expected. I experimented a few more times and got the same results. that's what brought me to this site. I have since bought a small jar of ginger.
I've used ginger as long as i can remember.Gone an extra mile, now an organic ginger farmer(commercial).You need it in bulk contact me at "macdinho@yahoo.com".Harvesting time is april 2012.Order now.
After averaging 3 colds and 2 doses of flu every year of my first 76 years I have, for the last 4 years, taken 1/4 of a level teaspoon of ginger powder every day in ginger ale and have had no trace of colds or flu during this time.
I find this site exciting really
I have been struggling with weight loss and all the fun stuff that goes with it but recently I discovered that eating a few pieces of candied ginger helps cut cravings for a variety of yummies not on my current menu! I'm excited to explore other benefits of this zippy, fabulous root!
Your article id very informative, although I'm not sure it can do all you say it can. However, I'll give it a try and see what happens.
Members can you find me any body who can buy my fresh organic ginger in large quantities.I am a farmer and i can raise tons come April 2012
If any body whether company or individuals needs cleaned organic ginger come April 2012 can reach me on macdinho@yahoo.com or call +256 712 333633 for booking.
Thanks
Kampala,Uganda
East Africa
Your write up is very informative,really gained a lot from it.
Very informative#Thanks
I love to cut and apple or peel an orange and sprinkle with lots of ginger powder and some sea salt. DELICIOUS. A great way to add extra health benefits to fruit.
I would love to know who long I can keep ginger in my freezer.
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Eileen Hughes Level 3 Commenter 3 years ago
Great helpful hub. I have emailed this to friends. I often eat christalised ginger if think I am getting a cold or sore throat. And yes it does work. Thanks for sharing this.