Ginger: What You Need To Know

Gingers are among the popular spices used in cooking. The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant with numerous medicinal properties. Ginger is native to warmer parts of Asia, such as China, Japan, and India, but now is grown in parts of South American and Africa. People around the world have been using it for thousands of years, both for its culinary and medicinal benefits. It is available fresh and dried, as ginger extract and ginger oil, and in tinctures, capsules, and lozenges. Gingers are rich with antioxidants making it very beneficial to the human body. 

Ginger can be taking in the form of herbal tea, as herbal medicine in combination with other medical plants, and also it can also be taking when used in cooking as spice. 

Here are some important health benefits of Ginger;

• The antioxidant properties of ginger helps in reducing free radicals in the body, thereby, protecting the body against cancer and other diseases associated with the activities of free radicals.

• It's an anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is your body's natural and healthy response to injury, it usually happens during apoptosis (programed cell death). Ginger contains the compound gingerol, a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Naturally occurring anti-inflammatories are important because they can help curb an overactive immune system.

• Nausea: Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea is a common home remedy for nausea during cancer treatment. Ginger is also safe to use during pregnancy, to relieve nausea. It is available in the form of ginger lozenges or candies.

• Dizziness (vertigo): Taking ginger seems to reduce the symptoms of dizziness, including nausea.

• Ginger Increases Insulin Sensitivity and Protects Against Diabetes. Early stages of some research has shown the evidence that ginger can actually increase insulin sensitivity and ease diabetes symptoms. One study of type 2 diabetics found that just two grams of ginger powder daily lowered the participants’ blood sugar by 12 percent.

• Osteoarthritis: Most research shows oral intake of ginger can slightly reduce pain in some people with osteoarthritis. A little study on ginger also shows that ginger might work as well as ibuprofen for pain in some people with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

• It fights infections. Due to anti-fungal and antimicrobial compounds, ginger might help you fight off a cold or an infection.

• It improves brain function: Scientists have long considered inflammation a symptom of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. However the anti-inflammatory properties of Ginger root may help decrease inflammation and improve cognitive function, according to a 2011 study published in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 

• Pain reduction: Ginger has also been found to reduce the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, the severe pain that some women experience during a menstrual cycle.

Conclusion

Ginger is an important plant. it is needed both as a spice and as a medicinal plant the helps to nourish our body and also to help fight some diseases.

Natural ginger will cause little or no known side effects for most people. In some, however, a high intake may worsen symptoms of acid reflux, irritate the mouth, and cause diarrhea. Taking ginger as capsules may help reduce the risk of heartburn.

We should note that many of the compounds in ginger have not been fully investigated, and not all of the claims for ginger have been supported by research. However, many of those that have been studied appear to show promise for medicinal purposes.

It is better to seek dietary sources of nutrients rather than supplements, and to consume them as part of an overall diet, rather than focusing on one item.