How To Use Ginger As a Medicine For Great Health
Nausea, vomiting, joint pain and even cancer – ginger root, which is available to us all year round in every supermarket or market, can work wonders when it comes to our health. This medicinal plant has not only taste, but added value. In this article you will discover what types of problems it is suitable for, how to consume it and how to store it at home.
Ginger has been known for over two thousand years as a medicinal herb effective in treating digestive problems, nausea, hangover and gases. Modern studies have found that it is effective in the treatment of vomiting, protects the gastric mucosa and improves inflammatory conditions.
Ginger improves the absorption of food nutrients and increases the availability of active ingredients in body tissues. The taste and aroma of fresh ginger are intensified the more mature the plant is, and it is considered non toxic and safe for everyday use.
Adding ginger to your diet is also one of the 70 habits featured in my e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.
Here are 6 reasons to consume ginger to improve your health:
1. Soothes the digestive system
Ginger improves the digestive system, stimulates, helps in the absorption of nutrients, absorbs gases and toxins and helps the skin to release toxins. This is one of the Top 10 Herbs To Improve Digestion.
2 . Reduces nausea and vomiting
Recent studies show that ginger is very effective in preventing nausea, especially seasickness. Ginger has a great effect that has been proven to be very effective in preventing vomiting during pregnancy. Compared with conventional drugs that may harm the fetus, ginger is safe to use without side effects and you need a relatively small amount of it.
3. Anti-inflammatory
If you suffer from arthritis pain in the knees, consuming ginger on a daily basis can definitely help. Ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory substances called gingerols. These have been tested in various research of rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The participants in the research reported a gradual reduction of pain, improving agility and movement and reduction in swelling when using ginger regularly. Find here more anti inflammatory foods.
4. Protects against colon cancer
These gingerols, the main active ingredient in ginger, that are also responsible for the special taste, may prevent the growth of colon cancer cells, according to a 2003 study. This study showed that ginger is effective in preventing and treating colon cancer.
5. Kills ovarian cancer cells
Studies at the University of Michigan showed that gingerols also cause death to ovarian cancer cells. The ginger ingredients have been proven to have antioxidant, anti- inflammatory and anti- cancer properties. Ginger has the ability to reduced inflammatory in cell components attributed to the development of ovarian cancer, as well as components responsible for cell proliferation and distribution. Conventional chemotherapy treatments do the same action, but may cause the cancer cells to develop immunity against drugs.
6. Stimulates the immune system
Ginger not only warms us on a cold day, but it can also help in causing healthy sweating which is good to reduce fever in colds and flu. This sweating can stimulate the immune system and help the body cope better with the disease. German researchers recently found that the sweat triggers substances in the immune system that help fighting against various infections. Find here more ways to boost your immune system.
7. Helps you Lose Weight
According to the ancient practice of Ayurveda, eating and drinking ginger root can help keep your weight under control and research has confirmed this as well. You can find the exact information about it my post on how to use ginger to lose weight and belly fat which also includes a recipe of a ginger drink for weight loss and better digestion.
How much ginger should be consumed?
Ginger is so concentrated with active ingredients, that you don’t need to use much of it to enjoy its health benefits. As for nausea for example, tea with 1-2 inches of fresh ginger in hot water may be all you need to calm the stomach. For rheumatic arthritis pain you need even smaller amount of ginger in food or tea each day. People who consumed larger amounts of ginger reported rapid and better relief.
How to buy and store ginger?
If possible, choose fresh ginger and not the dry spice, as fresh ginger is more powerful because it not only tastes stronger but its health effect is stronger as well, and contains much more gingerols and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
When you buy ginger, notice that it is stiff to the touch and has smooth skin. Young fresh ginger doesn’t require peeling of the skin and can be grated as it is. However ginger that was left on the shelf for a long time will have a hard skin that needs to be peeled , and it will also be more fibrous.
Fresh ginger can be stored in the refrigerator up to three weeks when it is not peeled, or in the freezer up to six months. Dried ginger powder should be stored in sealed glass jar in a cool, dark and dry place. If you keep it in the refrigerator, it will extend its shelf life for up to one year.
Ginger – Precautions
Many people can experience improvements in health by using ground ginger in food or as a dietary supplement, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. There are certain groups of people that should avoid ginger consumption as it can interact with other medication and can worsen certain health conditions.
If you are interested in herbs and herbal remedies, you can find more useful information in my e-book the Herbal Remedies Guide. This guide will teach you how to treat common ailments using herbs:
Herbal Remedies Guide
Sources:
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/news/ginger-root-and-colon-cancer-2011.shtml
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241638/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/359341-ginger-the-immune-system/
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/ginger
Is the Ebook Herbal Remedy Guide in a text format? I use a screenreading software program that only reads text. I am blind and the program I use will read text only. I want the book at the $9 price, but I don’t know if it’ll read it for me.
The e-book is in a PDF format. I am not sure if your program would be able to read it but I offer 30 days money back guarantee. If your program cannot read it – you can just contact me and I will refund your payment.
I use ginger root root in my drinkin water
I would like to know if grating the fresh ginger and storing it in the fridge or freezer is a good way to go?
Hi Sandy, have a look at WikiHow website where they suggest several options for storing ginger (inc. minced or chopped) in fridge and freezer: http://www.wikihow.com/Store-Ginger
I use between 5 and 7 lbs. of fresh ginger a week. I slice it up like chips and eat it that way. followed by lots of water! its so refreshing to me. I buy it at a local Asian market. the stuff in regular grocery stores is usually never very fresh. if the skin is not too bumpy or rough, I eat it with the skin on. the ginger with shiny skin turns out too bitter for me. and ‘baby ginger’ is the best! I don’t see that too often, though.
I cut the the fresh ginger in small pieces and chew them followed with a glass of warm water.its feels great..
Nice blog here! Also your site so much up very fast!
What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink to your host?
I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
I use Hostgator – http://www.hostgator.com/
I want to start taking ginger for better digestive health. How much should I take per day and how?
Hi Maria, the end of the article talks exactly about what you are asking: fresh ginger is the best. Make a tea with 1-2 inches of fresh ginger in hot water to relieve symptoms.
I am suffering from hypothyroid for last 20 years. Recently I started using ginger daily chewing small pieces every 2 hours. All the symptoms and problems of thyroid are disappeared completely and my health become very normal. My cholesterol, renal, thyroid and diabetes profiles turns out normal. Gave me lots of energy and made me active again. Ginger is like nectar to me. I recommend everybody to start using this very cheap herbal remedy cure for everything.
hi. so do you take medication for the thyroid desides the ginger?. just wondering since i have the same problem and i dont like the meds
When iread about this herbal medicine now I start usin. I hope its fine for me
I thank you very much for these valuable info on our health and wholeness
I’ve just say thank about this info but also I need this book where do I get it herbal remedies guide .
This is an e-book and doesn’t come in a hard copy format to keep the price low and affordable. You can get more information here – http://healthyandnaturalworld.com/Ebooks/HerbalRemediesGuide/
It is dangerous to eat Ginger if you are taking Beta Blockers,or have certain lung conditions.seek medical advice first.
I have been regular drinker of ginger’s tea. This is very powerful for stomach.
I like all your recipes.
I am interested in feeling better Naturally. through food, eating right. I have joint pain in my shoulders. Burning pain in my muscles neck area.
Please provide links or citations to studies you quote so we can read them, too! Also, it is unethical not to give credit to the original sources you use. Your site is obviously concerned with health ethics; why not use academic ethics, too?! Without including original sources, you may be quoting rumor or complete fiction.
Hi Annie, this is a fair comment. However when I use my resources, which are trusted and well known websites, such as webMD, Mayo Clinic, Maryland Medical Center, Livestrong, Medicinet and more, they themselves most of the times mention in general about the studies without providing a link to the original studies, so I am unable to detect the original studies. I don’t believe that such websites will quote rumor or complete fiction and I will be very surprised if they do so.
I’d like to know if taking ginger in supplement form thats organically grown & excipient-free works. Each capsule contains 1,080mg. Any advice or something you can share on this, i would appreciate any feedback.
Hi Lisa, when taking ginger in a concentrated form, like supplement, there is a need to consult with a doctor first, as ginger can interfere with certain medications, such as blood clotting medications and more. I’ve seen in webMD and Maryland Medical Center that the dosage of 1000 mg is used for arthritis and nausea for example (250 mg 4 times daily), but your doctor needs to establish the right dosage for you according to your specific situation.
Thanks Jenny, for responding to question
I would love to know if I can control type 2 diabetes naturally with herbs? Tired of drugs! My body does not like them anymore.
Hi Joanie, you can refer to my article about the best foods to control diabetes – http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/6-best-foods-to-control-diabetes/ – but this comes as an add-on to the current treatment. It doesn’t intend to replace it.
hi joanie
try moringa leaf
Very useful tips which all work very well to improve ones health.I like the articles posted.Very informative and helpful.
I know that Ginger is related to Tumeric. I have a Tumeric bulb in my fridge now – will that work the same way for us as Ginger does?
Hi Debby, while they are from the same family and have some similarities such as antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, there are still differences because of the different active ingredients. Read more about turmeric in my article – http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-turmeric/ as well as here – http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/how-to-make-anti-inflammatory-turmeric-ginger-tea/
Ihave acid reflux..Is ginger tea beneficial to me since its a little bit spicy when you drink ginger tea
According to Livestrong website, ginger may trigger heartburn in high doses. Read more here – http://www.livestrong.com/article/478715-does-ginger-cause-heartburn/
How many grams do you recomend to take per day?
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, adults should limit their intake of ginger root to no more than 4 grams daily. While pregnant, women should not take more than 1 gram of ginger root daily (see here – http://www.livestrong.com/article/381680-how-much-ginger-root-can-you-take-in-a-day/)
try moringa leaf
I take one teaspoon of ginger juice daily. ….very useful to control my diabetes. ….
I used it only in winter but now i will whole year Thanks for good information
Hello,
Great article, thank you. Someone mentioned that Beta-blockers and Ginger don’t go together, what do you think of this? I have been on 40 mg. Propanolol for years for Essential Tremor but now have chronic inflammation confirmed by my Neurologist. I am keen to start the ginger tea and would value your advice.
Hi Theresa, I have read that ginger may interfere with medications that change the contraction of the heart, including beta-blockers, digoxin, and other heart medications. In this case don’t take ginger without your doctor’s advice.
I grow up using ginger when we cook chicken,fish and beef,i used to think that it’s just something to give the food extra taste..
After reading this article,it finally made sense.you see i justturned 50 and just had my colonoscopy on may 31 2016 and the result was great.doctor said i dont have to see them again after 10 years.
It was the ginger i guess..