5 April 2016
About GingerGinger is another herb that is used extensively in Asian cooking. It is the underground stem, called rhizome, of the plant, Zingiber officinale. It is native to South Asia.
"Every good quality is contained in ginger" is and old Indian saying and ginger does not disappoint. The fleshy and aromatic ginger is used in cooking and healing since ancient times. Some of these traditional uses are supported by today's medical science, like its benefit in preventing motion and morning sickness. Modern medical science has also discovered more of ginger's health benefits. Some Health Benefits Of GingerGreeks of yore used ginger as a digestive help. Ginger was wrapped in bread and eaten after a hearty meal. Gingerbread is a the product of this practice several centuries later. Romans too, used ginger as a digestive aid. In Europe and its American colonies, ginger beer, a forerunner of the present day ginger ale, was produced as a stomach soothing drink. As a home remedy, ginger beer is used even today for diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Ginger has been recommended for colds, flu, motion sickness, as a digestive aid and to promote menstruation. Ginger powder, ginger tea, ginger wine, and ginger beer has also been used for diarrhea, indigestion, dysentery, nausea, flatulence, fever, headache, toothache and more. Motion Sickness and Morning Sickness Ancient Chinese sailors used ginger to prevent seasickness, because of ginger's anti-nausea action. Lancet, the British medical journal, reports that in one experiment, 36 volunteers with a history of motion sickness took either 100 grams of Dramamine, the standard drug for motion sickness, or 940 mg of ginger powder. Then they were seated in a computerized rocking chair designed to trigger seasickness. The people were free to stop the chair when they began to feel nauseated. The study showed that those on ginger lasted 57 percent longer than those on Dramamine. Digestion
Ginger relieves indigestion and abdominal pain by its antispasmodic action and soothes the gastrointestinal tract. Menstrual Spasms Because of its antispasmodic action ginger is believed to soothe the smooth muscles of uterus as well and benefit in menstrual cramps. Colds and Flu Ginger helps kill influenza virus as per Chinese studies and increases immunity which fights off infection as per an Indian report. These finding lend support to ginger's traditional use in colds, flu and other infections. Arthritis Anti-inflammatory substances have been identified in ginger in studies, again lending support to its traditional use in treating arthritis. Heart Disease and Stroke Ginger reduces cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and prevents blood internal blood clots, all predisposing factors for stroke and heart diseases. Summarized here are just a few of the applications of ginger for health. You can read my detailed article on the various health benefits and specific uses of ginger in correcting and maintaining health, incorporated with videos and recipes, by clicking this blue link. Some Useful Videos |
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