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Ginger: More Than Just a Spice

Ginger: More Than Just a Spice
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Most people know Ginger as a common spice used in the foods we eat.  It is a flavourful spice often used in chicken, cookies, bread, tea, and candies.  However, there is much more to this spice than just its taste. Ginger is known to be extremely healthy for the human body.

So what is it about Ginger that makes it so good for you? This Zingiberaceae plant which originated from Southern China is made up of several compounds that contain therapeutic elements. These plant compounds include volatile oils, gingerols, shogaols, and diarylheptanoids. Not only are the plant compounds responsible for the health benefits that ginger provides, but also the nutrients of the ginger root itself. The ginger root is high in potassium which is essential for maintaining the body’s water and acid balance. The ginger root is also high in vitamin C, folate, and magnesium which all play a role in the strengthening of your body. Vitamin C and magnesium are necessary in order to have strong tendons, ligaments, bones, skin, teeth and blood vessels, while folate is responsible for cell production and growth.

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is not only beneficial to the strength of your body, but also the overall health. Suffer from motion sickness or nausea? Ginger may just be the cure for you. Studies have shown that ginger can reduce symptoms of motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, cold sweats and vertigo.  Furthermore, ginger can help treat other stomach problems such as the common stomach ache, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach spasms. It has even been proven that ginger can reduce morning sickness symptoms for pregnant women as well as menstrual symptoms.

If ginger doesn’t already seem like the miracle medicine, you’ll be surprised to know that this spice is also known to strengthen your heart and respiratory system. If off the counter medicines don’t seem to help your cold, cough or flu symptoms, ginger may be the cure. Ginger is known to help with these respiratory problems as well as help remove mucus from the lungs and throat. The next time you are suffering from a cold, perhaps a cup of ginger tea will reduce your symptoms. Other respiratory problems such as bronchitis, breathlessness, and asthma are also known to be treated with ginger.

While ginger is well known for its ability to reduce symptoms of various sicknesses, it is also known to help reduce body pain and inflammation.  Certain pains that ginger is known to help with include headaches, migraines, muscle pain, rheumatisms, and arthritis pain. How exactly does ginger reduce body pain and inflammation?  The extract of ginger actually contains anti-inflammatory components which work as a pain reliever for the body. With that said, if you suffer from muscle aches and pains, a great way to treat your symptoms is perhaps by massaging ginger oil onto these pressure points so that the massage and ginger oil combination work together to enhance the treatment.

Ginger and Detoxification

It is clear that ginger is extremely healthy for you, but did you know that ginger can also be used as a detox? If you are looking for an all natural way to cleanse your body, consider trying ginger tea. It is easy to make and is much safer than other detox methods such as diuretic pills.  Simply slice up raw ginger root and place it in boiled water for about 5 minutes. If you need a little more flavor, you can add honey, peppermint leaves, or lemon. Drink 2-3 cups per day and you should be able to feel the cleansing results. This tea not only energizes your body, but also clears out unwanted toxins. You can also mix it up and create a ginger green tea so that you not only detox your body, but also boost your metabolism.

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