Food & Nutrition
Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses Of Ginger Powder, Root Extract, Herbal Tea, Juice & Plant
Health Benefits & Nutrition Facts Of Ginger Powder, Root Extract, Herbal Tea, Juice & Plant
Oh, ginger! How pungent or nauseating is the aroma of this kitchen ingredient? But this herbal plant has long been used for its medicinal properties. Virtually every part of this plant has great health benefits which most people tend to often overlook. That is the aim of this article: to enlighten you on the numerous and mostly neglected health benefits of ginger.
That being said, it is important that you carefully examine the ginger before buying. The appearance of the ginger root can tell whether it is good or not; fresh ginger is usually smooth with no spots.
Ginger Nutrition Facts
Ginger or known by its scientific name ?Zingiber officinale,? is part of the Zingiberaceae family of plants which also contains curcumin ? the basic component of turmeric. The part of the plant which is common in our kitchens is the root. This ginger root is highly potent medicinal herb with great benefits for human health.
Ginger contains essential vitamins and minerals as well as other vital nutrients. The major component of ginger is the antioxidant-rich gingerol, which is the source of the herb?s nutritional properties. Other active components in ginger are paradol, zerumbone, shogaol, flavonoids, zingerone, and terpenoids.
How To Eat Ginger
Ginger can be grated, crushed, or dried and ground for use as a flavor in cooking or consumed in its raw form. Ginger can also be processed for its oil and juice.
Health benefits of Eating Ginger
- For dealing with allergies.
Persons who have food allergies such as albumin allergy can benefit from the consumption of ginger. This is because of the presence of zerumbone which helps to reduce the allergic reaction of the body to albumin.
- A remedy for nausea.
Yes, as ironic as it sounds, drinking ginger tea will help to remedy the effects of indigestion including bloating and the nauseating feeling arising from surgery. Aside from this, ginger has been known to be a very effective remedy for ailments such as morning sickness in pregnant women and seasickness.
- For treating constipation.
Like most other teas, ginger tea is a natural laxative that helps to stimulate proper digestion and in relieving the symptoms of indigestion. Chronic constipation can also be treated with the use of ginger.
- Diarrhea treatment.
In addition to being a cure for digestive disorders, ginger can also be used for treating diarrhea. This can be done by adding ginger powder to meals.
- For treating stomach ulcer.
Ginger is generally safe for the stomach which is one of the reasons for its use in the prevention and treatment of stomach ulcer. Moreover, the consumption of ginger aids in inhibiting the development of an ulcer-causing bacteria (H. pylori). Apart from this, the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb assist the body in relieving intestinal diseases such as ileitis (Crohn?s disease) and colitis.
- For glowing skin.
Ginger root has anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial for the treatment of skin conditions like rashes and skin irritations. Moreover, the antioxidants found in this herb help to keep away free-radicals responsible for some of these skin conditions.
- For treating eczema.
Eczema can be an embarrassing sight for some people; hence, the need to completely get rid of it. Since ginger contains shogaol which is the active substance in treating eczema.
- For combating colds.
Pouring ginger powder into your soup can help you to fight against the symptoms of colds. This is because of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger. You can equally add grated ginger into hot water with lemon juice and honey. If you want to prevent the occurrence of colds, you should try drinking ginger juice.
- Remedy for influenza.
Similar to colds, flu can be prevented and treated with ginger. To achieve this, you will have to prepare ginger tea and drink.
- For combating cancer.
Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries in women. The consumption of ginger or adding it to your diet will help in the prevention of this cancer as well as some other forms of cancer like breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. This is as a result of the high-antioxidant content of ginger which is responsible for the fight against cancer cell formation.
- A panacea for the symptoms of aging.
Ginger is rich in antioxidants which help in fighting off free-radicals from the body. The absence of these free-radicals helps to produce a good and healthy skin which is what aging persons dearly desire. In addition, ginger can help to inhibit some brain damaging processes in the body. This is the reason why it is recommended for the treatment of age-related brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
- For prevention of heart disease.
Ginger has blood-thinning capabilities that are necessary for the treatment of abnormal blood clotting which if left untreated can lead to heart problems. In addition, the consumption of ginger helps to lower the cholesterol level in the body to prevent heart disease.
- For relieving body pains.
Ginger contains anti-inflammatory substances which are beneficial for the gradual treatment of body pains such as muscle pain and soreness resulting from exercise. Moreover, body pains such as joint pains can be the result of some other health condition like osteoarthritis. Drinking ginger tea or extract is a natural and effective treatment for the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
- For menstrual problems.
Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is the painful feeling during menstruation. Studies have confirmed that the consumption of ginger powder at the beginning of the menstrual cycle can help in relieving menstrual pain in women. Since ginger has pain-relieving capabilities due to its anti-inflammatory components, it can be used for treating dysmenorrhea.
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Menstrual cramps can also be reduced by taking ginger.
Menstrual cramps are majorly caused by prostaglandins, which are hormones. Consuming ginger is a fast and healthy way of reducing these hormones thereby reducing menstrual cramps.
- To promote libido.
Ginger has been known to be used to stimulate sexual desire in both men and women. The operation of ginger in blood circulation helps to increase the flow of blood to the midriff of the body. Furthermore, the aroma of the ginger root helps in promoting fertility in both sexes.
- For good oral health.
Ginger extract is good for oral problems such as periodontitis which is caused by inflammatory bacteria. Moreover, the presence of gingerol helps to prevent the operation of germs in the body.
- Treatment of asthma.
Asthma patients can also benefit from ginger due to its asthma-suppressing property. This is due to the presence of zerumbone which is an anti-inflammatory compound that helps to suppress the airway inflammation associated with asthma.
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Good for the liver.
Ginger helps to reduce hepatotoxins which affect the liver and is a contributor to tuberculosis. Also, the consumption of ginger helps in preventing the harmful effects of cadmium remnants on the liver. In addition, ginger essential oil provides a protection against obesity-related liver disease.
- DNA Protection.
A study found out that ginger has the potential of absorbing UV rays that can be damaging to the human DNA. Drinking ginger extract helps to suppress the effects of dangerous UV rays on the body. Moreover, ginger oil helps to mitigate the damage of aflatoxin B1 (a toxin) on the DNA.
- For maintaining blood sugar level.
Ginger is known to be an insulin-promoting food as well as helpful in the breakdown of carbohydrates. This makes ginger an invaluable food supplement in maintaining blood sugar level necessary for the prevention of diabetes. Moreover, a proper balance of blood sugar level is important for maintaining a healthy weight. This means that obese and overweight persons can benefit from consuming ginger.
- For treatment of hypertension.
Ginger extract has been found to be an effective natural remedy for high blood pressure a.k.a. hypertension.
- For detoxifying the body.
Cleansing the body from harmful chemical substances is important for general health. While there are many methods and several foods that can be eaten to achieve this, ginger is one of the most powerful body detoxifiers. This is due to the fact that ginger consumption stimulates the production of sweat which is helpful in the removal of toxins from the body.
Side effects of consuming ginger
While ginger offers wonderful health benefits, the inappropriate consumption of the herb can lead to some adverse health conditions. Although there is little or no side effect of consuming ginger, some persons may experience adverse health conditions after taking it. For one, it is believed that pregnant women do not take large amounts of ginger as it may lead to miscarriage (although there is no medical report to confirm this). Other possible side effects of consuming ginger include the risks of acid reflux, inflammation, diarrhea, gallbladder stones, and diabetes.
Ginger should not be consumed by persons on blood thinner medications due to the fact that ginger can adversely affect the body?s ability to effectively form blood clots.
Ginger is one of the common kitchen ingredients that serve as more than just flavoring for food. The use of this highly nutritious herbal plant is beneficial in improving several health conditions.
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