Ginger
A popular home remedy for nausea, stomach pain, and other health issues. This modest plant was used for medicinal purposes in the times of ancient India, China, and Rome.
Usage
It is used against inflammation, for compress against swelling, against cramps, to reduce pain in muscle and bone problems such as arthritis, as prevention against colds and to calm coughs, strengthen immunity, improve circulation and prevent blood clots. It is an effective remedy against migraines and against the flu.
Weight Loss
Ginger helps speed up the digestion process, and can help with weight loss.
Immune System
Boosts immunity with its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.
Cold and Sore Throat
Protect against cold viruses and is a popular way of soothing a sore throat.
Digestion
It increases movement in the digestive tract and promotes healthy enzymes that help break down the foods we eat.
Heart Health
It’s lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and works as a blood thinner.
May Help With Cancer
Studies on ginger have shown that some of the benefits of gingerol may prevent some cancers.
How to add ginger to your diet?
Make a Tea
Add a few pieces of fresh ginger to hot water to make tea.
Add to Smoothy
Mixing a bit of ginger into your morning smoothie.
In Meal
Adding finely chopped fresh ginger or powdered ginger to curries or stir-fries.
Since ancient times, it has been used as folk medicine. Indians and Chinese folk produced ginger as a tonic for over 5000 years to treat different conditions.
Ginger crushed into a paste is used in India to relieve a headache.
In Burma, ginger is mixed with sweeteners and taken as a prevention of flu.
Japanese tradition includes ginger as a remedy for circulatory issues.
About
Ginger (Zingiber Officinalis) is a tropical spice plant very reminiscent of reeds. Its roots are fleshy, up to 20 centimeters long, and very aromatic. The aroma of the roots is unique: the smell of lemon, and the fresh, pungent taste. Ginger originates from southwest Asia, and the main producer is India, although Jamaican ginger is highly valued as well.
Composition
Raw ginger is composed of 79% water, 18% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and 1% fat. In 100 grams, raw ginger contains moderate amounts of vitamin B6 and the dietary minerals, magnesium, and manganese, but other than that, it is low in nutrient content. When used as a powder in a common serving amount of approx. 5 grams, all the micronutrients, except manganese, are negligible.
Science
The specific fragrance and flavor profile of ginger comes from volatile oils that the plant uses as a defense. Main components are zingerone and gingerols.
Gingerol and gingerol-related components have been proven to possess antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Only a few preclinical investigations are published, most of the reports are case studies. The antibacterial activity of the ginger extract was studied more extensively and it showed a bacterial growth inhibition activity, depending on the dosage.
Few studies have also reported an inhibitory effect of ginger on Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium.
Fun Facts
A few slices of pickled ginger are regularly eaten between courses in Japan to clear the palate
Research
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Influence of a Specific Ginger Combination on Gastropathy Conditions in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee or Hip - Drozdov, V., Kim, V.A., Tkachenko, E., et al., The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2012
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Influence of dietary spices on their active principles on digestive enzymes of small intestinal mucosa in rats - Platel, K., Srinivasan, K., International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 1996
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Cholagogic effect of ginger and its active constituents - Yamahara, J., Miki, K., Chisaka, T., Sawada, T., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1985
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Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on Performance and Blood Serum Parameters of Broiler - Mohamed, A.B., Al-Rubaee, M., Jalil, A., International Journal of Poultry Science, 2012
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The Inhibitory Effect of Ginger Extract on Ovarian Cancer Cell Line; Application of Systems Biology - Pashaei-Asl, R., Pashaei-Asl, F., Gharabaghi, P., Khodadadi, K., et al., Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2017
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Effect of Ginger on Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure - Lohsiriwat, S., Rukkiat, M., Chaikomin, R., Leelakusolvong, S., Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 2010
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Wang, W. H., & Wang, Z. M. (2005). Studies of commonly used traditional medicine-ginger. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi= China journal of Chinese materia medica, 30(20), 1569-1573.
Khodaie, L., & Sadeghpoor, O. (2015). Ginger from ancient times to the new outlook. Jundishapur journal of natural pharmaceutical products, 10(1).
Abascal, K., & Yarnell, E. (2009). Clinical uses of Zingiber officinale (ginger). Alternative and Complimentary Therapies, 15(5), 231-237.
Recipes
