The Top Ten Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger is a Natural Remedy for Many Common Health Problems
The crisp, refreshing flavor of the roots and stems of ginger (Zingiber officinale) make it one of nature’s most popular plants. Whether eaten in Asian stir-fries or consumed as ginger ale or ginger beer, ginger is a common part of the daily diet of people around the world. But even though ginger is so widely consumed, many of those who enjoy it do not realize that it has important medicinal value.
Ginger has played an important role in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian herbal medicine since the 1500s. Extracts of ginger root are often found in herbal formulations for digestive and respiratory disorders. More recently, ginger has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties.
The Top Ten Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger has many health benefits. Here are the top ten:
- Research shows that ginger has important benefits for cancer patients. Chemotherapy patients who were given ginger reported significant relief from chemotherapy-induced nausea.
- Ginger is a natural anti-spasmodic. It provides relief for an upset stomach, easing bloating and gas.
- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, and can be taken internally or used topically as a rub to relieve inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other disorders. Some patients report greater relief when using ginger than with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and unlike NSAIDs, ginger does not damage the internal organs.
- Ginger supports heart health. Recent studies have shown that ginger is beneficial in many aspects of cardiovascular health, acting both to reduce hypertension and lower cholesterol levels. A clinical trial demonstrated ginger’s anti-platelet activity.
- Ginger eases cough and sore throat symptoms naturally by stimulating the production of mucous.
- Ginger is a full-spectrum digestive aid. Ginger is full of enzymes which break down the proteins in foods, reducing cramps, gas and other symptoms of indigestion. In ancient Greece, ginger was routinely consumed after a large meal in order to facilitate digestion.
- Ginger has natural anti-viral, anti-toxic, and anti-fungal properties. It may be of benefit in reducing the spread of the germs that cause cold and flu.
- Ginger is a natural antihistamine and is useful for fighting allergy symptoms.
- Ginger eases nausea symptoms in cases of seasickness, motion sickness and morning sickness.
- Because ginger stimulates the production of mucous, it helps to protect the stomach lining against the formation of ulcers.
Because it is a food substance, ginger may be consumed safely. Other examples of potent medicinal herbs that double as foods are cinnamon (Cinnamonum cassia) and turmeric (Curcuma longa). When herbs such as these are incorporated into a healthy diet, they provide important health benefits that last a lifetime.
References:
Nicoll R, Henein MY. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): a hot remedy for cardiovascular disease? Int J Cardiol. 2009 Jan 24;131(3):408-9. Epub 2007 Nov 26.
Yip YB, Tam AC. An experimental study on the effectiveness of massage with aromatic ginger and orange essential oil for moderate-to-severe knee pain among the elderly in Hong Kong. Complement Ther Med. 2008 Jun;16(3):131-8. Epub 2008 Mar 4.
Hickok JT, Roscoe JA, Morrow GR, Ryan JL. A Phase II/III Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) for Nausea Caused by Chemotherapy for Cancer: A Currently Accruing URCC CCOP Cancer Control Study. Support Cancer Ther. 2007 Sep 1;4(4):247-50.
Ginger Relieves a Wide Variety of Health Problems
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