Ginger

Hi, Friends...One of the oldest known spices in the world is Ginger. India is the largest producer of ginger in the world. Ginger, known as Adarak in Hindi, is used frequently in tea made in all parts of India as well. This is popularly used as a spice in cooking and can be used fresh, dried or powdered. The fresh rhizome can be used to extract ginger essential oil. It is used as a flavouring agent in soft drinks, beverages (Used in baking and confectionary industries), continues to be a popular folk remedy in India. Big, healthy, high-quality green ginger are taken for the dry ginger production, actually, it is an essential ingredient for many Indian food preparations. Ginger is also used in preparing pickles and candies and ginger pickles are famous in India. Sweets like Ginger Jam, Ginger Candies are another way of storing Ginger. In Asia, people add it to their daily diet including tea, coffee, vegetable preparation. Ginger is a valuable cash crop and plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicines in India. The flesh of the ginger rhizome can be yellow, white or red in colour, depending upon the variety.

Health Benefits of Ginger

·         Ginger is amongst the most commonly used herbs both for its culinary uses as well as medicinal uses. Ginger is known for its properties as stimulant, carminative, anti-inflammatory properties.

·         Ginger is in Indian ancient literature is referred as Maha-Aushadi meaning the great medicine. Because of health benefits of Ginger, it has been used for centuries for the treatment of various diseases like Nausea, Vomiting, Head Ache, Chest Congestion, Cholera, Colds, Diarrhea, Stomach Ache, Rheumatism and Nervous Disease.

·         Ginger is a valuable drug for disorders of digestive system. It is extremely useful in dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, nausea, vomiting, spasms and other painful affections of stomach and bowels. Chewing a fresh piece of ginger after meals regularly is an insurance against these ailments.

·         Chewing fresh ginger piece with salt before meals improves appetite and taste and cleanses the tongue and throat. Half a spoon of fresh ginger juice along with lime or mint juice and honey is effective medicine for nausea, vomiting, indigestion, morning sickness

·         Ginger is an antibiotic and antiviral and helps fight infection. It has been used for centuries for the treatment of infectious diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, chest congestion, whooping cough. A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, acts as an expectorant and diaphoretic in treating Whooping Cough and Influenza.

·         Ginger is an effective remedy for a cough and cold. Extracted ginger juice along with honey should be taken 3-4 times a day for relief on the couch. People also drink ginger tea made from dried or powdered ginger during Coughs. Ginger candies are often used during a sore throat. Herbal tea along with Ginger, jaggery, basil, clove, cinnamon and honey is the folk remedy for congestion, cough and cold.

·         Gingerol, the main active component in Ginger & the ones responsible for its distinctive flavour, may also inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells.

·         With blood thinning properties of ginger, it is helpful in reducing cholesterol and treating heart diseases

·         Ginger is an excellent painkiller and helpful on all types of pain. In a headache, a ginger ointment made by rubbing dry ginger with litter water and applied to forehead offers relief. Backache also can be relieved by applying the ginger paste on affected area. It also allays a toothache when applied to the face. Burnt ginger mixed with common salt is rubbed over the teeth to cure dental sensitiveness caused by eating sour fruits. In a case of an earache, a few drops of ginger juice can give relief.

·         Studies suggest that ginger reduces Anxiety. Drinking Ginger tea or ginger energy drink is considered refreshing apart from its health benefits on common cold and cough.

·         Ginger root contains a very high level of antioxidants. Ginger has the ability to induce cell death (apoptosis) and suppress certain protein. According to some studies, ginger may be a powerful weapon against cancers.

Side effects of Ginger

·         Using ginger during pregnancy is controversial. There is some concern that ginger might affect fetal sex hormones. There is also a report of miscarriage during week 12 of pregnancy in a woman who used ginger for morning sickness. However, studies in pregnant women suggest that ginger can be used safely for morning sickness without harm to the baby.

·         Ginger might lower your blood sugar. As a result, your diabetes medications might need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.

·         When ginger is applied to the skin, it may cause irritation.