Medicinal Plants - Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger has been cultivated since ancient times for its taste and its warming and invigorating properties. It is thought to calm the digestive system , stimulate sweating and help with fevers. It has been used to treat digestive disorders, such as colic and heartburn and problems associated with flatulence.
Ginger is also used as an herbal remedy to prevent nausea and vomiting, including travel sickness. It aids in digestion and is known to alleviate inflammation, particularly in the joints.
Ginger is part of the Zingiberaceae family and is a rhizomatous perennial plant which can grow up to 1 meter (3.25 feet). Ginger grows best in warm, humid conditions with temperatures between 70°F and 90°F (21°C–32°C) and annual rainfall of 1500–3000 mm. It prefers partial shade and protection from strong winds, frost, and waterlogging. Ideal soil is loose, friable, and rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.5–6.5 for optimal growth. Raised beds or well-draining containers are recommended to prevent rhizome rot and ensure proper root expansion.
"Fresh ginger boasts a potent compound called gingerol, which includes antioxidant properties and reduces inflammatory enzymes. As a result, ginger is “beneficial for inflammatory-related conditions and pain relief, specifically menstrual cramps and also arthritis-based conditions,” O’Neill says.
For example, in a clinical trial, ginger showed promise for improving knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. Dried ginger also contains anti-inflammatory compounds, but gingerol changes form when heated into a different compound that’s not as effective.
Gingerol could also explain ginger’s role in keeping blood sugar levels steady. This is key to controlling the long-term health effects of Type 2 diabetes. “The ginger reduces enzymes that break down carbohydrates and so it helps with glucose (sugar) metabolism,” notes O’Neill.
People with Type 2 diabetes often don’t produce enough insulin, which is important to ensuring glucose circulates throughout your body and doesn’t accumulate in your bloodstream. Studies have also found that ginger encourages your muscles to absorb glucose, without requiring you to take extra insulin.
This could lead to additional positive side effects. “When you’re insulin resistant, sometimes, it can make it harder to lose weight,” O’Neill explains. “Improved blood sugar regulation may help with weight loss and potentially make your body more sensitive to insulin.” - Cleveland Clinic
"A 2022 review of 26 trials, researchers found that ginger consumption reduced total triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, while increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol. It was also found to reduce BMI." - Healthline
"Ginger is not just delicious. Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, benefits gastrointestinal motility ― the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process. Eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn’t linger as long in the gut.
Nausea Relief - Encouraging stomach emptying can relieve the discomforts of nausea due to a variety of causes:
Chemotherapy. Experts who work with patients receiving chemo for cancer, say ginger may take the edge off post-treatment nausea, and without some of the side effects of anti-nausea medications.
Pregnancy. For generations, women have praised the power of ginger to ease “morning sickness” and other queasiness associated with pregnancy. Even the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology mentions ginger as an acceptable nonpharmaceutical remedy for nausea and vomiting.
Bloating and gas. Eating ginger can cut down on fermentation, constipation and other causes of bloating and intestinal gas.
Wear and tear on cells. Ginger contains antioxidants. These molecules help manage free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells when their numbers grow too high." - Johns Hopkins Medicine
"Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body ward off germs. They’re especially good at halting growth of bacteria like E.coli and shigella, and they may also keep viruses like RSV at bay. Ginger’s antibacterial power may also brighten your smile. Active compounds in ginger called gingerols keep oral bacteria from growing. These bacteria are the same ones that can cause periodontal disease, a serious gum infection.
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces swelling. That may be especially helpful for treating symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. You might get relief from pain and swelling either by taking ginger by mouth or by using a ginger compress or patch on your skin.
Ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging." - WebMD
Time to spice up your life with a little ginger - and little goes a long way! Enjoy the benefits and the flavor too as ginger adds a fragrant zest to both sweet and savory foods.
6D Living
Wellness in Balance
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