The benefits of ginger have been known for over 5,000 years, both culinary and therapeutic. It is useful for treating the most diverse ailments: infections, fatigue, muscle pain, digestive disorders, etc. This root vegetable is a staple in herbal medicine!
IDENTITY RECORD
Name: Ginger
Scientific name : Zingiber officinale
Botanical family: Zingiberaceae
Parts used: rhizomes
Indications: physical fatigue, digestion, immunity, nausea, vomiting
Preparation: infusion, juice
Native to Asia, the ginger is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family. Popular in India, benefits of ginger are used in ayurvedic medicine but also in the kitchen. Ginger root is a major spice in Indian gastronomy.
The benefits of ginger
In addition to its virtues for the intestinal flora, ginger stimulates the appetite and helps to lose weight thanks to its fat-burning action. It is often used to prevent nausea in pregnant women, but also to prevent vomiting after surgery or chemotherapy.
Ginger relieves digestive disorders such as bloating, gas, and intestinal pain. Its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties help relieve arthritis pain or sprains. Also, its energizing effects give it the reputation of an aphrodisiac, because it tones and strengthens the body.
Ginger is made up of two parts: an underground part and an aerial part. The underground part is called the rhizome ; its pulp is yellow inside and constitutes, for the plant, a reserve of survival. It is gnarled and branchy. The aerial part, on the other hand, consists of leaves and a stem about one meter high.
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The rhizome of ginger contains oleoresin composed of shogaol and gingerol, which have anti-inflammatory and antiemetic properties. It also contains starch as well as various vitamins (B1, B2, B3, C) and minerals (manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron).
Ginger and its other health benefits
The benefits of ginger are not limited to the intestinal tract:
- It helps stimulate the immune system.
- Anti-inflammatory and antiviral, ginger is also effective against fever, flu, coughs, sore throats, allergies and infections.
- It also allows relieve various ailments such as migraines, menstruation, digestive spasms, stomach upset, rheumatic, muscle and joint pain.
- Her rich in antioxidants helps fight against cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers such as breast, colon and ovarian cancers.
How to use ginger?
To enjoy the benefits of ginger, it can be used in a number of ways. Internally, it can be taken as a powder, 500 to 1000 mg per day, as a tincture before meals, from 10 to 20 drops, infused with 150 ml of hot water for 1 g of ginger 3 times a day. He can too eaten fresh, sliced or grated, knowing that 10 g of fresh ginger corresponds to 1 to 2 g of dried ginger.
In external use one can apply the essential oil of ginger or the mother tincture, directly on the part to be treated, or to cure the sore throat by gargling with a teaspoon of tincture diluted in lukewarm water. A Chinese technique is to apply ginger infused poultices on painful joints.
Contraindications and precautions
Consumed in reasonable amounts, ginger does not have any harmful side effects. He is not recommended to exceed 4 g per day as its overdose may cause some side effects. Among the most common: heartburn, stomach pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, heavier periods and nausea. In normal doses, ginger is a remedy for nausea! It can also lead to quite rare cases of ginger allergy, which can cause a rash.
As a contraindication, it is not recommended to combine ginger with blood treatments or to take it before surgery. In case of pregnancy, you should also avoid consuming more than 2 g, as this can cause complications. Likewise people suffering from heart problems, gallstones, diabetes, or any disease related to blood should seek the advice of a doctor before taking it.
Ginger tea for sore throat
Ingredients
- Thin slice of fresh ginger (6 or more)
- 1 garlic clove, cut into thin slices
- Lemon
- 1 large tablespoon of honey (more or less according to taste)
Preperation
- We make a decoction with the garlic and ginger, simmering for 10 to 15 minutes in a cup of boiling water.
- Add the honey, and let it dilute well.
- We put the lemon in a large cup, and add the mixture.
