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What we think of as ginger is actually the annual root (or rhizome) of a flowering herbaceous perennial plant that is botanically known as Zingiber officinale. The plant is related to turmeric and cardamom.
Native to southern Asia, ginger’s cultivation spread to China, India, and the Middle East in ancient times. Today the tropical plant is grown in the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and East Africa, and it can be grown indoors under proper conditions.
Ancient Chinese, Arabic, Sanskrit, Roman, and Greek texts describe the use of ginger for medicinal purposes. Ginger’s benefits are linked with its active ingredient, which is known as gingerol. According to the USDA, ginger is packed with carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and protein, and it also offers sodium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Let’s look at some of the amazing health benefits of ginger, and then we will see how you can add ginger to your menu and your health regimen to harness these benefits.
Health Benefits of Ginger
1. Eases Nausea
Ginger can work to treat and help prevent nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, seasickness, and motion sickness. There is some clinical evidence ginger also can help relieve nausea caused by anesthesia or chemotherapy.A 2014 study published in Nutrition Journal found that ginger was more successful than a placebo in relieving nausea and vomiting. The following year, another study of 363 patients found that ginger was more effective than a placebo for post-surgery nausea and vomiting. A 2012 study found published in Integrated Cancer Therapy found that ginger helped to reduce nausea caused by chemotherapy in women treated for advanced breast cancer.
2. Helps Migraine Pain
Ginger also can help treat the pain associated with migraine headaches. The NIH reports that a 2012 clinical trial with 100 participants found little difference between treatment with ginger and treatment with Sumatriptan (also known as Imitrex), one of the top-selling drugs for the treatment of migraines.Most study participants reported moderate or severe pain at the start of the trial. After taking either the drug or ginger, they were reported they were either had mild pain or no pain.
3. Reduces Muscle Soreness
Ginger is effective against muscle pain associated with exercise. Two separate studies conducted in 2010 found that participants experience better pain reduction after taking ginger than after taking a placebo.4. Helps Alleviate Arthritic Stiffness and Pain
The Arthritis Foundation’s website reports that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that are similar to those found in ibuprofen and COX-2 inhibitors (such as celecoxib). In a controlled trial of 247 osteoarthritis sufferers in 2012, those who consumed ginger reported less pain and required less pain medication.
5. Promotes Heart Health
Studies from the University of Maryland Medical Center connect ginger with lower “bad” cholesterol levels and with a blood-thinning effect. The anticoagulant effect may help prevent heart attacks and stroke in some people. Ginger also works to lower blood sugar levels, which can improve heart disease risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes.6. Aids Indigestion
Ginger helps the body absorb nutrients and minerals from the foods we eat and, as a result, it can aid in the digestive process. Ginger also helps induce the elimination of painful stomach gas and pressure and can prevent additional gas from building up in the stomach.7. Lessens Menstrual Discomfort (Dysmenorrhea)
Ginger is a traditional and natural way to treat the pain of menstrual cramps and bloating. Results from a 2015 clinical study also suggest that ginger may help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.8. May Contain Anti-Cancer Properties
More research is needed, but early trials indicate that the 6-gingerol compound found in raw ginger may be effective against certain forms of cancer, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer.9. Boosts Brain Function
The antioxidants in ginger can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain which are thought to be factors in age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Ginger consumption also may improve reaction time and short-term memory.10. Fights Infection
Gingerol, the substance found in ginger root, can be effective in fighting inflammatory mouth diseases, including periodontitis and gingivitis. Ancient medical practitioners have prescribed ginger tea for cold and flu sufferers for centuries for the way it induces sweating, thereby removing toxins from the body.Fresh ginger also is effective against the common cause of respiratory infections, the RSV virus.
11. Promotes Healthy Skin
Ginger contains a compound called dermcidin, an anti-inflammatory agent that can help in the treatment of skin problems, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and acne. Ginger can provide skin soothing and detoxifying benefits when added to a warm bath.All you have to do is add a half-cup (eight tablespoons) of freshly grated ginger to a standard bathtub of warm water. Or stir two rounded teaspoons of organic ginger powder into the water.
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