Also known as ginger root is a rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale. It is taken in various forms, such as delicacy, medicine, or spice. Ginger comes from the same family with turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. This amazing root crop has various health benefits as enumerated below.
Appetite Booster
To whet your appetite, eat fresh ginger and your appetite will be fired up. It stirs up your digestive juices and makes you feel hungry, hence the desire to eat. It’s most recommended for people with poor appetite.
Improves Absorption
Ginger promotes proper absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the body, hence an essential component for your digestive health.
Treats Sinuses, Nausea and Motion Sickness
When hollow spaces in your head t fill with mucus and you’re all stuffed up, ginger clears it up. If you also have a feeling of nausea or airsickness, just add a little honey to ginger and take it to help alleviate the condition.
Treatment of Flatulence
If you suffer from excessive gas in the body, a little ginger is all it takes to reduce the gas and give you relief. This herb eases indigestion and the bloated feeling. All you need to do is to try adding fresh ginger to your meals or have an after-dinner cup of ginger tea.
Promotes Circulation
Its root is a mild stimulant hence useful in promoting circulation. When its cold, taking a ginger tea gets the blood running and pumping so that you feel warm. Additionally, ginger reduces high blood pressure and prevents formation of clots in the blood by ensuring smooth and continuous blood flow.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Ginger is known to relieve inflammation in arthritis. This is because it contains powerful anti-inflammatory substances, gingerols that greatly reduce pain in the joints. It is a powerful remedy for people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Ginger as an Aphrodisiac
Ginger has been used for eons to boost libido and increase sex drive. It makes the heart race and increases the heat. Legend has it that French Madame du Barry, the official royal mistress to King Louis XV from 1769 until his death in 1774, used to serve ginger to all her lovers. It is said ginger used to drive her lovers into complete submissiveness.
Anti- Ovarian Cancer Properties
Research has shown that gingerols, the active phytonutrients in ginger, kill ovarian cancer cells by inducing their death.
Treatment of Burns
Ginger juice is a useful remedy for skin burns. It is applied on the skin for relief from burns.
Other Uses
Ginger root is used in the food and drinks industry. It is also a fragrance component in soaps and cosmetics.
Photo Credit : Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK
