Proven Health Benefits and Uses Of Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

1. Ginger is a tangy and spicy root which has its origin from China.
2. It is classified as a herb.
3. The botanical name of ginger is Zingiber officinale. It looks like a root of a plant. Although it grows underground, it is considered as a rhizome. In the Indian kitchen, it is one of the common ingredient. It is also known as adraka plant. Ginger is used in various dishes like bread, cakes, puddings, soups and pickles.

Ginger is Available in Several forms such as:

• Whole fresh root
• Powdered
• Dried stem
• Pickled
• As juice or oil
• Crystalized

1. It can raise the taste of variety of drinks and dishes which includes Thai and Indian curries, herbal teas, cakes as well as seafood.
2. Among the super foods, ginger is also one of the super food.
3. In ancient china, it was used as a potent as well as natural healer due to its exceptional qualities. The calorie count of zingiber officinale is 67.

Names of Ginger varies in different Regions which are as Follows-

1. English name- ginger
2. Hindi name- adraka
3. Telgu name- allamu, alla
4. Marathi name-aale
5. Bengali name- adda
6. Kannad name- hasisunthi
7. Gujarati name- adu
8. Malayalam name- inchi
9. Sinhala name- inguru, amu
10. Farsi name- anjeebeele, tara
11. Burma name- gyin

Health Benefits of Ginger

This herb has anti-oxidant properties and various vitamins. According to Ayurveda, diseases occur due to imbalance among 3 doshas of the body and ginger balances the kapha dosha.

Helps with Digestion

1. Ginger helps in losing weight.
2. Ginger helps in speeding up metabolism. Ginger helps in treating digestion issues.
3. Dyspepsia results in pain and irritation right after the meal. A cup of ginger tea before meals and before bed helps in managing gas issues.
4. Ginger helps in treating one of the main digestive issue- heart burn. Ginger kills bacteria which is associated with heart burn.
5. Ginger helps in relieving pain in abdomen as well as abdominal cramps. People with sensitive stomach should not use ginger as it may worsen the condition.
6. In lactation and pregnancy, always use ginger in very less amounts.

Controls Blood Sugar Levels

• According to some studies, ginger helps in maintaining normal blood glucose levels in patients suffering from diabetes.
• Ginger helps diabetic patients by preventing long term complications.
• Chewing a piece of ginger daily or drinking a cup of ginger tea can help in maintaining the blood sugar levels.

Fights Inflammation

• Due to anti-inflammatory properties of ginger, it helps in treating inflammation and inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
• Daily use of ginger helps in treating joint disorders especially pain.
• Ginger helps in management of chronic migraine as well as stiff joints.
• Ginger is known to relieve joint pain.

Ginger for Migraine

Nowadays, 24% of population suffers from a serious disorder [migraine]. It helps in treatment of migraine and severe headaches.

Prevents Cancer

• Ginger helps in prevention of cancer especially, ovarian cancer.
• It reduces tumor cells growth.

Disinfects and Detoxifies

• As it aids in sweating, so it helps in cleaning the skin pores and also helps in toxin removal.
• According to some studies, ginger creates a layer of unknown proteins on body so helps the patients who sweats a lot and hence protects against bacterial and viral infections.

Prevents Menstrual Cramps

Ginger helps in reduction of prostaglandins in body and as it is well known that menstrual cramps occur due to raised levels of prostaglandins. So by reducing the levels of prostaglandins it helps in preventing menstrual cramps.

Treats flu

Ginger helps in the treatment of fever and flu. Due to increased prostaglandins levels, fever occurs. It helps in management of flu by reducing the levels of prostaglandins.

Increases Sexual Activity

To enhance the sexual activity, ginger is being used since many years. It helps by increasing the blood circulation to mid area of the body.

Treats Food Poisoning

As ginger is a carminative and antiseptic substance, hence it can be used in the management of bacterial dysentery and bacterial infections. It also helps in the treatment of food poisoning.

Protects from Malaria

Ginger oil as well as ginger root is very beneficial in the management of yellow fever and malaria.

In Management of Respiratory Disorders

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• Ginger oil as well as ginger root acts as good expectorants and helps in the treatment of cough, cold, asthma, breathlessness and bronchitis.
• Mixture of ginger and honey acts as a anti-inflammatory mix, which reduces the stress and helps in the flow of oxygen to lungs

Lowers Stress

Oil of ginger is considered as an essential oil and relieves mental stress, tension, dizziness, anxiety and restlessness.

Dissolves Kidney Stones

Juice of ginger root has the capability of dissolving stones in the kidney.

Strengthens Heart

• Ginger helps to prevent formation of blood clots.
• Ginger helps to reduce levels of cholesterol.
• Hence lower levels of cholesterol helps in prevention of blockage of blood vessels and thereby helps in reducing the risk of stroke and heart diseases.

Hair Care

Ginger powder helps in reduction of dandruff and thereby strengthenshair.

Helps in Weight Loss

Ginger is considered as an important herb to reduce fat in the body. Mix ginger, fennel seeds and cumin seeds along with black pepper and then add the mixture into half cup of warm water and then have this drink twice daily to reduce fat from the body.

Conclusion

Ginger, a rhizome helps our body in treating and preventing various diseases. This is only possible if ginger is in pure. It becomes less effective if it is treated physically or chemically in any way. Ginger is considered as best, natural and effective herb to treat several health issues.