Ginger has been used in the foods to serve both culinary and medicinal purposes in the ancient Asian and Indian traditions for over 4000 years. It has been used to aid digestive process, treat diarrhea, and nausea in the traditional medicine. It has also been used to treat chronic arthritic, colic and cardiac conditions. Apart from being an excellent traditional medicine, ginger occupies an important place amongst the cooking spices used all over the world and this is the reason why ginger becomes so important to us.
The ginger plant is cultivated in many countries including the West Africa and the Caribbean. The plant contains good amount of volatile oils and polyphenolic compounds (Gingerols and Shogaols) which give out the characteristic odor and flavor of the ginger. Below are the top 8 health benefits of ginger which you could use to treat various health ailments.
- Ginger has got excellent Carminative properties which help in giving relief from bloating and gas. It is also an Anti-spasmodic which can help you relieve of abdominal spasms.
- Ginger is quite effective in treating Nausea caused by morning sickness, motion sickness, sea sickness and chemotherapy (as a side effect).
- It is also effective in treating cough as it helps in expelling the phlegm (expectorant action) and also helps in secreting saliva (sialagogue) which soothes your throat. You could actually make a “Ginger-Lemon-Decoction” to treat your sore throat.
- The Gingerols present in ginger have Anti-pyretic (cures fever) and Analgesic (alleviates pain) activity therefore ginger can be used to reduce muscle pain and fever.
- Ginger can be used to treat common cold, influenza, and fever due to its Anti-viral and Anti-pyretic properties.
- Ginger has got powerful Anti-bacterial properties which help in treating diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli. It can also be used to treat other bacterial infections in our body.
- Ginger is believed to posses cholesterol lowering and blood thinning (anti-coagulant) properties which can be useful in treating heart diseases.
- And last but not the least, Ginger has a potent Anti-inflammatory property and can be largely used to treat various conditions of Arthritis (Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis). This powerful anti-inflammatory property of ginger can also be used in other inflammatory conditions (like Colitis) as well.
