Today you will read all about ginger, a natural medicine. I myself have been using ginger for my migraines for a long time, but ginger is good for much more. Its anti-inflammatory properties mean that ginger can be used for many ailments.
Note in advance:although ginger is a natural product, you should always look for possible interactions with regular medication. Extra caution is advised during pregnancy, the use of blood thinners and medication to lower the blood sugar level!
Before I get into the health benefits, let me briefly discuss what ginger actually is. Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale, is a rhizome, a thick underground trunk that keeps on branching.
The ginger plant itself can reach a height of 90 cm and produces 2 – 5 mounds of ginger. In principle, this ginger can be harvested all year round. When a piece of ginger has been removed from the mother plant, it is first washed and then dried in the sun. After this, the ginger can be used as medication or processed in food.
Ginger is widely used in food, especially in Asian cuisine. To use ginger in cooking, choose firm roots that are smooth and slightly shiny. Preferably do not buy roots with new shoots. Ginger roots can be kept outside the refrigerator for several weeks if you store them in a cool and dark place. You can even keep these in the freezer for a few months.
Before using ginger, you should always peel it. You can use ginger fresh or dried, powdered or pickled. Ginger can be used in many dishes that could use just that little bit of extra flavor. Think of dips, dressings, rubs, pesto, tea and even healthy shakes.
Does a recipe state that you need dried ginger, but do you only have fresh ginger available? Don't worry, 6 parts fresh ginger equals 1 part dried ginger root.
Ginger is one of the oldest natural medicines in existence. The root originally comes from Southeast Asia. It is therefore only logical that the ancient Chinese and Indian healers had ginger as standard in their medicine supply for thousands of years. Ayurvedic texts also call the root a great universal medicine. An old Indian saying goes:'All good things are found in ginger'. Traditional Chinese medicine assumes that ginger is heated from within.
Most ginger root production takes place in China, India, Australia and Jamaica. The conditions are best there:warm and high humidity. However, by far the most ginger comes from the Indian Malabar coast.
Today, ginger is still used in food and as medicine. Modern Western science has devoted numerous studies to the health benefits of ginger and they have been confirmed time and again.
It is the ingredients:zingerone, shogaols, gingerols and various other volatile oils that give the root not only taste, but also medicinal properties. The amount of these substances depends on a number of factors such as:geography, harvest time and processing.
The consumption of ginger can soothe muscle pain, reduce inflammation and reduce osteoarthritis pain. Several theories suggest that ginger suppresses cycloxygenase and lipoxygenase, making it anti-inflammatory. NSAIDs work in much the same way, except they all suppress cyclocygenase, thereby inhibiting lipoxygenase.
Since ginger suppresses both substances, it leads to a lower production of leukotries, tumor necrosis factor and prostaglandins. All this ensures that the root helps excellently with inflammation, whereby the pain is significantly reduced. Unlike regular NSAIDs, ginger has no negative effect on the stomach or kidneys (when used normally) and may even help with stomach ulcers.
Below you will find a list of conditions in which the natural medicine ginger can offer a solution
Ginger helps against nausea caused by exercise, chemotherapy, pregnancy and after surgery. When using during pregnancy, care should be taken, as there are still doubts about the use of ginger during this period.
Ginger suppresses nausea by inhibiting serotonin receptors. The substance works on two sides:both in the brain and in the intestines, so that nausea is tackled on several levels. Reducing the release of vasopressin (ADH) also reduces nausea caused by movement (motion sickness).
Ginger has been known as a natural digestive aid since the Middle Ages. It calms overactive stomach contractions, making it easier for stomach contents to be drained into the intestines. This also ensures that there is less heartburn. The enzyme zingibain facilitates the digestion of proteins.
Several studies have been conducted into the positive effects of ginger and good blood pressure. Ginger has been found to have a similar effect to calcium channel blockers. If the ginger root is used over a longer period of time, this ensures more relaxation of the muscles and more elastic blood vessels. This results in a decrease in blood pressure, but also causes the muscles of the bronchi to relax, reducing the stuffiness associated with asthma.
Note :in Suriname I had a friend who has severe asthma. She took medication for years, but stopped taking it, after which she made the switch to drinking fresh ginger tea. In the meantime she no longer needs medication and she can breathe completely normally. Please note :too high doses can cause too low blood pressure.
Ginger has a cholesterol-lowering property. This mainly concerns the increase in the excretion of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides via the bile and faecal excretion. The production of cholesterol by the liver is also significantly reduced.
Studies based on the different populations show that people living in Southeast Asia have a reduced risk of cancer compared to people in the Western world. This is mainly due to the plants and herbs that are used in the kitchen and are known for their anti-cancer properties.
The development of tumors is linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginger may play a major role in cancer prevention. In addition, ginger is able to activate a tumor suppressing gene. At the same time, a gene that plays a role in the formation of a malignant tumor is reduced, so that the root has a favorable effect on the development and spread of cancer cells.
Ginger helps destroy oral pathogens and Helicobacter Pylori (a bacterium that causes gastric mucosa and ulcers). This makes ginger anti-bacterial.
Ginger has a similar effect to some prescription medications. I myself have been a migraine patient for over 26 years and I myself experienced what ginger can do for you. Incidentally, not only ginger, but also other foods play a role in the development of migraine. As a natural remedy for migraines, ginger is preferably used fresh. Making tea from it not only decreases the pain of the attack, it also decreases the nausea associated with migraine. Frequent use will eventually lead to a decrease in the number of attacks. I myself noticed that if I drank fresh ginger tea every other day, I actually no longer had a migraine.
Always consult the pharmacist before use in connection with interaction with, among other things, blood thinners.
Although it is a natural remedy, it should be taken in moderation. Preferably use fresh ginger or capsules from reliable sources.
Eating too much ginger at once (we are talking about a whole ginger root) can cause diarrhea, irritation in the mouth and heartburn.
In the video below you can see how you can easily and quickly peel ginger. It also works with a sharp potato knife.
To make the most of the medicinal properties of ginger, it is best to consume 1 – 2 grams of ginger. This amount helps against nausea, muscle pain and promotes good digestion. Limit the intake to a maximum of 4 grams per day, although there are no significant disadvantages to be found if more is consumed.
Although ginger grows mainly in humid and warm areas, it is still possible to grow ginger at home. Under the right conditions, you can harvest home-grown ginger within 3 – 6 months.
Hopefully you now know all about ginger, a natural medicine. If you have any additions, please let me know.
