Revered in the Orient for its powerful healing qualities and its culinary uses, Ginger has been in use since ages. 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 thermogenic, anti-flatulent, appetiser, digestive and a powerful laxative.
Dried ginger is thermogenic, appetizer, laxative, expectorant, stimulant and effective to cure stomach disorders. Dried and ground ginger is used to cure cold, cough, cholera, nausea ad vomiting, inflammations, diarrhea, colic, flatulence, anorexia, asthma and headaches.
Ginger has extensive uses in aromatherapy as well. Ginger yields an essential oil that is steam distilled from the unpeeled, dried and ground root. Ginger oil is used in combination with sandalwood, cedar wood and patchouli, which renders a woody-spicy scent to the mixture.
The uses of ginger as a digestive aid can be largely attributed to the presence of gingerols and shogaols, which help neutralise 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.
Other Ginger health benefits
• Ginger has 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 tendonitis and relieve sore throats. • 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. • 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 helps provide stress relief. • It is a great mouth freshener and ginger tea is known for its refreshing properties.
Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies for some of the most common illnesses and health problems .
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In this article about the arthritis herb ginger, you will discover:
- What is ginger?
- Why is ginger a great arthritis herb?
- How much arthritis herb ginger to take to help with you?
What Is Ginger?The perennial plant ginger grows in the countries of south-east Asia.
The underground stem, the rhizome, is the part of ginger which is used for medicinal purposes.
The rhizome of ginger contains unique ingredients such as:
- Essential Oils
- Zingerone
- Gingerol
Ginger has beneficial health properties such as:
- Analgesic
- Antihistamine
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-nauseant
Apart from helping with the symptoms of arthritis, ginger can also help with the symptoms of the following health conditions:
- Motion Sickness
- Morning Sickness
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Diarrhoea
- Poor circulation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
Why Is Ginger A Great Arthritis Herb?Ginger has been used for centuries as an arthritis herb for rheumatism and arthritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and pain associated with arthritis.
How Much Of The Arthritis Herb Ginger, Do You Need To Take To Help With Your Arthritis?
It is best to take 255 mg of concentrated extract of ginger supplement twice a day to help with the symptoms of your arthritis.
Clinical trials have shown that by taking this amount for six weeks that the degree of arthritis pain was reduced and the condition improved.
So, to sum up…
Ginger has been used for centuries as an arthritis herb.
Ginger has unique beneficial health properties which can help the symptoms associated with arthritis.
Ginger is quiet safe to take, although some people do suffer from heartburn when consuming it.
Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh
Download ‘How To Beat Arthritis Naturally’ Free E-book
Website: NewBeingNutrition.com
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Ginger root is an herb that has been used in a variety of ways as a healing agent for over 2000 years. It is thought to have medicinal properties that can be helpful to those suffering from a myriad of ailments, including arthritis, nausea, motion sickness, headaches, and perhaps even types of heart disease. In the United States the use of herbs as medicine is still considered as alternative, but in places such as China, the Caribbean, India, parts of Africa and Europe ginger is widely accepted as a healing herb.
The history of ginger is quite fascinating. The Sanskrit name for ginger is srngaveram, which translates to “horn root”. This is believed to be because of the appearance of the ginger root, which does bear a resemblance to an animal’s horn. At some point in history ginger disappeared, but it is thought that Marco Polo brought it back with him after his extensive travels and it then became a delicacy in Europe. Most of the supply of ginger comes from Jamaica, India, Africa, and China. Ginger grows in the wild in Jamaica and other islands of the Caribbean because the tropical climate offers the best growing conditions. Ginger in the wild produces flowers when the herb is at its most ripe stage. Queen Elizabeth I loved the taste of ginger and encouraged her cooks to experiment with it. The gingerbread man is said to have been the direct outcome of this experimentation.
Ginger has been used most commonly to treat gastrointestinal maladies such as nausea, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, uncontrollable vomiting, heartburn, intestinal gas resulting in excess flatulence, and colitis. Many believe that ginger can help with these ailments because it contains properties thought to strengthen the muscle tone in the intestinal tract.
Herbalists use ginger extract to decrease inflammation, which is a leading cause of many ailments including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, dermatitis, and ulcerative colitis. Studies are not at all conclusive, but many people prefer to use a natural remedy instead of taking ibuprofen or other traditional medication.
Use of ginger to treat motion sickness appears to be at least somewhat effective but more studies need to be conducted and analyzed. As far as heart disease is concerned, it is unclear whether or not ginger can be used successfully to lower cholesterol. It is simply to early to make an intelligent comment on this type of medicinal use of the herb.
Ginger appears as a knotted root with an underground stem known as a rhizome. It consists of volatile oils (somewhere between 1 and 4%), as well as pungent compounds known as gingerol and shogaol. It is these compounds that are thought to be responsible for the healing properties of ginger for nausea and vomiting.
You can find ginger in the produce department as a fresh or dried root. Ginger is also available as a powdered extract, in capsule form, or as an oil. You can use ginger to prepare a tea or use it as a cooking spice to prepare breads, cookies, or as an ingredient in vegetable dishes.
It is always wise to do your own research and talk to your physician before supplanting ginger, or any other spice or herb, with prescribed medications. Many health food stores have herbalists on staff that can also answer any additional questions you may have. As with all things in your life, moderation is the best choice. But when choosing spices that may also be medicinal, try using ginger as a healthy, natural alternative.
Connie Ragen Green has used alternative medicine to supplement traditional medicine to help her deal with arthritis and cancer for over 15 years. Visit her at http://greenhouse.typepad.com/connie_ragen_green to find ways to improve your health and well being.
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