The Surprising Health Benefits of Ginger : If you've ever taken ginger ale for an upset tummy, you understand
the health benefits of ginger. Going back more than 2,000 years in
China, the herb has been used to treat nausea, upset stomach and help
with digestion and diarrhea.
Used in stir fries and Asian cooking, the spicy, pungent underground
rhizome of the ginger plant is firm with a striated texture. It may be
yellow, white or red, depending on the variety, and is covered with a
thin or thick brownish skin, depending on whether the plant was
harvested mature or young.
What's ginger good for?
As it turns out, plenty. A 2009 study found ginger supplements when
taken alongside anti-vomiting medicine reduced chemotherapy-induced
nausea in patients by 40 percent.
"Therapeutically, it's also used for poor circulation and lower back
pain. On an emotional level, it can act as a catalyst if you are
procrastinating and lack the drive to take action," says Laurie
Steelsmith, a licensed naturopathic doctor and author of "Natural
Choices for Women's Health."
Studies have shown it can also ease muscle pain, eliminate
inflammation, help with painful menstruation and migraines, and may even
slow or kill ovarian and colon cancer cells. Here are some other health
benefits of ginger:
Nausea and motion sickness: Ginger is well known for
its ability to ease nausea, and it's helpful for motion and sea
sickness. Women suffering from morning sickness were given beverages
with ginger during the first trimester of pregnancy, and when compared
with women given a placebo, ginger alleviated the nausea in a large
majority of the cases.
Diabetes complications:
Studies show ginger may reduce urine protein levels, decrease water
intake and urine output, and reverse proteinuria, which is kidney damage
caused by too much protein in the urine. Ginger may also protect nerves
in diabetics and lower blood fat levels. "Ginger can help increase
circulation, thin blood, and lower both blood pressure and cholesterol,"
says author Steelsmith.
Arthritis: A placebo-controlled, double-blind,
crossover study published in the journal Osteoarthritis Cartilage found
patients with painful arthritis in the knee who were given ginger vs. a
placebo experienced significantly less pain and loss of movement
compared to those taking the placebo.
Cold and flu: Chinese medicine practitioners
commonly prescribe ginger to treat symptoms of colds and flu. The root
acts as an antihistamine and decongestant, two cold-easing effects that
can help with symptoms.
A dose of ginger
Ginger is susceptible to heat and oxygen, so handle carefully when
using this herb and store in a cool, dry place or the crisper bin of the
refrigerator for two to three weeks.
To make a tea, shave the skin from a piece of fresh ginger, cut off a
2-inch chunk and slice it into 2 cups of water to simmer covered for 20
minutes. Remove the slices and pour into a mug and add honey and a
squeeze of lemon. Eat the slices after drinking the tea. Drink up to
three cups of tea per day, before meals.
Ginger capsules or powder are also available. Take at least 2,000 milligrams three times or more per day with or without food.
Do not take ginger with blood thinners without first consulting your
health care provider. Ginger may also lower blood sugar and interact
with blood pressure altering medications, so speak with your physician
prior to using ginger if you take any medications.
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