Benefits Of Ginger
The Well Known Benefits of Ginger
The benefits of ginger have been known to laymen for many years, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientists are now finally trying to understand the health benefits of ginger too. Ginger has been used in Asian countries as a healing agent for many years. It was once even thought to protect people against the plague. Today it is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs and is used throughout the world.
Ginger has been studied as a potent substance for use in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The University of Michigan studied the effects of ginger on ovarian cancer cells and found that ginger powder actually caused cell death in all of the ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied. The research is still in its early stages, but effective treatment of ovarian cancer using ginger seems promising.
The University of Minnesota has conducted a research study regarding the effects of ginger on colon cancer. Ginger was not found to actually kill the cancer cells, but it was proven to slow colorectal cancer cell growth. Practical use of ginger for preventing colon cancer has not yet been developed.
Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used to treat inflammation due to injuries and joint inflammation caused by arthritis. An added benefit to using ginger for inflammation is that it is also a natural pain killer. Ginger’s ability to slow inflammation and treat pain make it a powerful medicine to treat both migraines and menstrual cramps. For menstrual cramps, traditional Chinese medicine mixes ginger root with brown sugar.
Ginger tea or ginger ale has been used for centuries as a natural treatment of heartburn. Ginger has been known to help in cases of mild food poisoning by settling the stomach. It also has been used for many years as a natural remedy for colds and flu. Ginger ale is often given to children suffering from the stomach flu to calm their stomach aches. The nausea of motion sickness can also effectively be treated or prevented with ginger extract or ale.
Vitamin B6 has long been used as a treatment for morning sickness. There are prescription drugs that are also given to pregnant women to help relieve their morning sickness. Several studies have found that ginger is equally as effective in treating morning sickness. Ginger is also as safe as vitamin B6 for use during pregnancy.
Diabetic nephropathy is a type of kidney damage that can occur as a complication of diabetes. A study using rats with diabetes found that ginger actually reduced the rate that the rats developed diabetic nephropathy.
Several other health benefits of ginger include its ability to freshen breath. Ginger also has an anti-fungal effect and can be used effectively for the treatment of athlete’s foot or other topical fungal infections. Ginger is also well known for its ability to provide stress relief and calm.
Ginger extract can be found in capsules, but if you are buying ginger for its health benefits or even just for its fantastic flavor, try to find fresh ginger. Fresh ginger is widely available in most grocery stores. Avoid any ginger root that looks dry or has wrinkled skin or mold spots. You can grate the ginger root or use a garlic press to unlock the many benefits of ginger. Indian and African ginger are the most potent. About one ounce a day is the optimal amount of ginger to achieve the most benefit of this herb. If you are buying ginger ale for its stomach soothing benefits, be sure to read the label to make sure that it is made with ginger. Many sodas are made with flavoring and not the real herb.