Rooting for Ginger

Ways in which ginger can make your life better

Ginger is a wonder root with a delightfully spicy zing and a ton of really amazing health benefits. You can eat freshly cut ginger in stir-fries, stews or noodles or in salads and fruit salads. Sliced ginger makes a delicious tea, especially with a little honey. Ginger snaps and ginger beer are also effective (and yummy) ways of ingesting ginger, but remember to check that your ginger ale contains actual ginger before expecting any positive results.

Nausea

Thousands of years ago Chinese sailors chewed ginger root to stave off seasickness. It remains one of the most effective cures for motion sickness and nausea. Ginger is a great alternative to anti-nausea medication. It’s an effective cure for pregnant women, cancer patients and patients who are experiencing nausea as a result of recent surgery. A study in the Lancet Journal tested the efficacy of ginger on 36 people highly susceptible to motion sickness with fantastically positive results according to the New York Times.

Cramping

Ginger is very effective in curing cramping which results from stomach ailments or period pains. A recent study in the “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine” found that ginger was just as effective at reducing pain associated with cramping as the over-the-counter painkiller ibuprofen.

If cramping is a result of poor digestion or bloating, ginger helps to restore digestive balance by releasing gastric acids that aid in digestion. Ginger also helps to relieve excess burping, gas and bloating.

Aching muscles

If you’ve had a good workout or long run, relieve aching muscles with ginger. Ginger helps rid the body of lactic acid which builds up in your muscles during strenuous workouts. Ginger can even give you topical relief for muscle pain; slice ginger and place it on the affected area and place a warm, wet bandage or towel on top. You can also soak a bandage in warm ginger tea and place it on your stiff muscle.

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties which can also help with aching muscles and joint pain. A natural painkiller, ginger can be a healthy substitute to pain medication.

Cancer preventions

A University of Minnesota study found that ginger consumption slowed the growth of colorectal cancer cells and helped in the prevention of colon cancer. “Plants of the ginger family have been credited with therapeutic and preventive powers and have been reported to have anti-cancer activity,” said Professor Anne Bode, head researcher. “The substance called [6]-gingerol is the main active compound in ginger root and the one that gives ginger its distinctive flavor.”

The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center conducted a study that found that ginger also killed ovarian cancer cells.
There are a number of other health benefits that ginger has to offer

• The antioxidants in ginger tea help improve the immune system.
• Naturally freshens your breath.
• Stimulates appetite.
• Helps lower bad cholesterol levels.
• Soothes cold and flu symptoms, including respiratory infections.

Ginger is truly a miracle cure to a wide range of ailments. You can use ginger as a preventative measure by including it in your meals or making a ginger tea. Ginger snaps, ginger beer and ginger candies are all really delicious ways to introduce ginger into your diet.