& By: Nutritionist Ayat shatara
Ginger is the root or rhizome that has popularly used as a spice and herbal
medicine for thousands
of years. It has been used to treat many health problems like indigestion, all
stomach disorders , diarrhea, arthritis, cancer, by chemotherapy, diabetes type
(2), and menstrual cramps.
u Ginger is one
spice that I recommend keeping on hand in your kitchen at all times. Not only
is it a wonderful addition to your cooking (especially paired with garlic) but
it also has enough medicinal properties to fill several books.
u Fresh ginger
root keeps well in your freezer. If you find yourself nauseous or with an upset
stomach, mince up a small amount (about the size of your fingernail) and
swallow it. You'll be amazed at the relief it provides. Yet this is only the
beginning
In 2013, a study
also found that women athletes taking three grams of ginger or cinnamon daily
(that's less than one teaspoon) had a significant decrease in muscle soreness.
Ginger has even been found to be as effective as ibuprofen in relieving pain
from menstrual cramps in women.
The pain-relieving
potential of ginger appears to be far-reaching. Along with help for muscle and
joint pain, ginger has been found to reduce the severity of migraine headaches
as well as the migraine medication Sumatriptan – with fewer side effects.
Another recent
study, which was presented at the American Thoracic Society International
Conference, found that adding ginger compounds to isoproterenol, a type of
asthma medication called a beta-agonist, enhanced its bronchodilating effects.
Because ginger
enhances bronchodilation, it may provide a much safer alternative, or at
least complement, to current asthma medications on the market.
u Ginger has anti
inflammatory property that helps to reduce the inflammation which causes pain
in the stomachache just as similar as NAIDs. It eases the inflammation that
gives relief from the indigestion and hyper acidity.
u It’s a mild
stimulant that promotes blood circulation and aids for better digestion
neutralizes the stomachache.
u It contains
strong antioxidant called gingerols and shogaols that will decrease the free
radicals production and also the damage to the body and finally gives relief
from the pain. It also aids your muscles of intestinal track relax which gives
relief from the stomach pain occurring as well as gas.
Nutritional breakdown of ginger
u Using fresh
ginger is an easy way to flavor foods and drinks without adding unnecessary
sodium. Since it is often consumed in such small amounts, ginger does not add
significant quantities of calories, carbohydrate,
protein or fiber.
u Ginger does
contain numerous other anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds beneficial
to health such as gingerols, beta-carotene,
capsaicin, caffeic acid, curcumin and salicylate
u Carbohydrate -
17.77 g
u Dietary Fiber -
2 g
u Protein - 1.82 g
u Dietary Fiber -
2 g
u Sugars - 1.7 g
u Sodium - 13 mg
u Vitamin B6 -
0.16 mg
u Calcium - 16 mg
u Iron - 0.6 mg
u Vitamin C - 5 mg
u Potassium - 415 mg
u Magnesium - 43
mg
u Phosphorus - 34
mg
u Zinc - 0.34 mg
u Folate - 11 mcg
u Riboflavin -
0.034 mg
u Niacin - 0.75 mg
u Iron - 0.6 mg
Ginger to Treat Stomach Ulcer
u Method:
Ginger may be eaten in a variety of foods,
such as gingerbread, many Chinese foods, ginger ale, teas, and ginger snaps. Do
not exceed 4 grams daily. More conveniently, ginger may be taken as a
supplement. The standard dose is 250 mg 4 times daily.
u Why It Works
Because ginger is an antibacterial, it can
prevent the growth of ulcer-causing bacteria. It also works to reduce the volume
of gastric juices.
u Ulcer
Promotion
Because compounds in ginger root
stimulate an increase in digestive juices, the potential for stomach irritation
and peptic ulcers exist. Also, the “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines”
notes that ingestion of dried ginger root powder
has been shown to
increase turnover in epithelial cells in the surface of the gastrointestinal tract in humans. Since this
can possibly lead to the formation
of ulcers, it is
recommended that ginger not be taken on an empty stomach.
u Safety
Precautions:
The risk of
ulcers increases with excessive doses of ginger. The University of Maryland
Medical Center suggests taking encapsulated ginger supplements if you
experience any gastrointestinal distress. However, consult your physician
before using this herb if you have a history of ulcers, gallstones or a
bleeding disorder. Ginger may also interact with pharmaceutical medicines,
including blood-thinning drugs, anti-platelet agents, calcium channel blockers
and diabetes medications
The Health Effects of Ginger
Coronary Heart Disease
There are several studies on the
effect of ginger on Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).
A study looked at
the effects of ginger (and another substance known as fenugreek) consumption on
blood lipids, blood sugar, and platelet aggregation in patients with CHD.
Patients recruited for this study included healthy individuals, individuals
with CHD, and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [with or without
CHD].
u Researchers
found:
No effects on
platelet aggregation, blood lipids, or blood sugars in CHD patients when ginger
was given at a lose dose (4 g/day) for 3 months. However, when given a single
large dose (10 g) of ginger, significant reductions in platelet aggregation
were seen, indicating that large doses are necessary for the greatest benefit.
Ginger’s effectiveness for reducing blood pressure (BP) was
assessed under varied dosages. A dose-dependant (0.3—3 mg/kg) decrease was noted
in arterial BP, which provides support for ginger’s role in BP regulation.
Diabetes :
Ginger has been shown to possess anti-diabetic activity in a
variety of animal studies. A study found that when rats were given ginger juice
for 6 weeks, the risk for developing diabetes was reduced. The researchers
found that treatment with ginger significantly increased insulin levels and
decreased fasting glucose levels. Treatment with ginger also produced other
favorable effects in diabetic rats, including decreases in serum cholesterol,
triglycerides, and blood pressure.
u Other Potential
Uses:
u As mentioned
earlier, ginger process mild anti-inflammatory and an-algesic properties.
Published case reports indicates indicate that ginger may help people with
rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and muscular pain. The daily doses
employed in these reports ranged from 3 to 7 grams. The length of treatment
varied from 3 months to 25 years.
Three-quarters of the patients with arthritis enjoyed, to varying degrees,
relief from pain and swelling.
u Ginger may also
offer promise for margarine sufferers.
u Toxicity:
Normally, ginger is a safe drug without any adverse reactions and has a wide
range of utility.
Paradoxically it’s include in the list of plants containing poisonous
principles because of it’s oxalic acid content.
The oleoresin exhibited a marked action on the central nervous system.
A single does up to 0.5 g/kg resulted in vasodilatation, activeness, and
alertness in animals.
Ginger In Home Remedies(Primary Health Care):
u Decoction of dry
ginger together with Jiggery (a form of crude sugar) relieves dropsy (an
excessive accumulation of water fluid in any of the tissue or activities of the body).
u Hot decoction of
dry ginger is stomachic and digestive and relives cough, asthma, colic, and
angina pectoris.
u Ginger juice
with an equal quantity of milk is indicated in ascetic(abnormal accumulation of
fluid in the peritoneal cavity). The
ghee prepared with 10 times the ginger juice also has the similar effect.
u Warm juice of
ginger mixed with gingerly oil, honey, and rock salt is a good eardrop in
otalgia (pain in the ear).
u Unfortunately,
the only published paper on the topic is mostly theoretical and involves only one
case study. More research is needed before ginger can reach the same level of
clinical assurance enjoyed by feverfew.
u Finally, ginger
may be a promising treatment for the nausea following chemotherapy. However,
large studies are needed to confirm not only the effectiveness of ginger but
also whether it may have any negative interactions with chemotherapy drugs.
u This is
definitely one area you need to discus with your doctor should you decided to
take ginger.
u Paste of ginger
made with Ricans root decoctions is cooked over red-hot coals after covering
with mud, and the juice is collected with this special method. This juice if
taken along with honey, cures the symptoms of rheumatic fever.
u Juice of ginger
with old jigger cures urticaria (nettle rash)and is digestive.
u Ghee prepared
with ginger juice, ginger paste, and milk relieves edema, sneezing, ascetic,
and indigestion.
u Ginger juice
along with lemon juice mixed with little rock salt bowder is effective in
flatulence(presence of excessive gas in stomach and intestine), indigestion,
and anorexia(having no appetite for food).
u Dry ginger is
effective in all symptoms due to due to the ingestion of jack fruit.
u Ginger immersed
in lime water(calcium hydroxide)and applied to the skin can remove warts.
u Ginger juice and
clear ( a small painful horny growth on the sole of the foot are the toes).
u Ginger juice and
honey in equal quantities is hypotensive in action, and course is excellent for
relieving cough.
u Application of
ginger juice around the umbilical region is good for curing diarrhea.
u Purified ginger
juice, onion juice , and honey in equal parts if taken at bedtime in
anthelmintic in action.
u Dry ginger
pounded in milk and then the expressed juice used as a nasal drop relieves
headache and associated symptoms.
u Dry ginger
boiled in buttermilk is ant poisonous and is given for internal use.
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