Revered in the Orient for its powerful healing qualities and its culinary uses, Ginger has been in use for over 2000 years. A perennial herb, ginger is a greenish yellow rhizome. The botanical name of the spice is Zingiber Officinale.
Ginger is been used extensively in the Orient; its benefits covering a spectrum so wide, that it includes the medicinal, culinary as well as aromatherapy fields. A pungent and flavorful spice, ginger is one of the most widely used spices in the East.
Ginger is known to be beneficial to the body in a number of ways. Ginger can be used in its raw as well as dried form. Raw ginger is a thermogenic (increases metabolism), anti-flatulent, appetizer, digestive and laxative.
Dried and ground ginger is used to cure cold, cough, cholera, nausea ad vomiting, inflammations, diarrhea, colic, flatulence, anorexia, asthma and headaches.
The uses of ginger as a digestive aid can be largely attributed to the presence of gingerols and shogaols, which help neutralize stomach acids, enhance the secretion of digestive juices and tone the muscles of the digestive tract.
The active ingredient in ginger is terpenes and an oleoresin, which is called ginger oil. These active agents are responsible for its antiseptic qualities, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating and mild constipation relief. Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver.
Ginger is an effective herbal remedy for all kinds of motion sickness and even morning sickness during pregnancy. A great way to get rid of the uneasy, queasy feeling in the stomach. Ginger has been clinically proven to be more effective than Dramamine. Unlike Dramamine, which contains the drug dimenhydrinate, ginger does not have the side effects of drowsiness because it works on the stomach, not the brain. Besides being highly effective for nausea, it also works on morning sickness, dizziness, vertigo and the stomach flu.
Ginger has also been known to reduce inflammation of the joints and muscle tissue for people suffering from arthritis or rheumatism. Ginger improves blood circulation, hence thought to improve the complexion too. It is also known to have reduced nervousness, ease tendinitis and relieve sore throats.
Scientists have found that ginger can block the effects of prostaglandin - a substance that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, which leads to migraine. Many women believe that consuming ginger tea during periods helps minimize menstrual cramps. Known for its warming action, ginger is an effective treatment in colds and flu. An effective remedy for cramps caused by flatulence, ginger stimulates digestion. Ginger is a mood enhancer, the Cineole present in ginger also helps provide stress relief.
It is a great mouth freshener and ginger tea is known for its refreshing properties