Ginger Benefits and Medicinal Usage

Ginger/Luya in Philippines/Gingiber Officinale botanical name, is a knotted, thick, beige underground stem or rhizome of the plant. The most important components of ginger root are thought to be volatile oils and pungent phenol used in resins, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and in diluted form as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Ginger comes in two varieties. The common one is big and white which usually used as food spice. The other one is the small and yellow kind known as Turmeric or Luyang dilaw.

Ginger used in different ways in different places. Like in India, aside from using ginger as spice, Indians used ginger to heal physical ailments. They believed it to possess mythical and spiritual healing powers. Chinese sailors sucked it to alleviate seasickness. Greeks used it to aid digestion.

As trade flourished between Asia and Europe, ginger became more popular. It served as a beverage, known as ginger tea or ginger ale. Ginger reached the american soil where it was used to treat dysentery, indigestion, nausea and flatulence, or the pressure of excessive gas in the digestive tract. Ginger does not only have medicinal effects, it is also used as coloring, preservative and flavor enhancement of food. It also neutralizes the fishy taste of fish.

Researcher's have discovered that ginger has medicinal benefits in our body because it found that it contains a strong circulatory stimulant and vasodilator. As vasodilator, it can lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation. It also helps reduce chest congestion and is a good expectorant and pulmonary antiseptic.

In the Philippines it is used as hot salabat (ginger brew) it is effective in respiratory symptoms, cough, colds, fever and headache.

The ginger poultice can relieve joint swell and arthritic pain. Tonsillitis and Toothaches can be remedied by a piece of ginger. In cases like sore throat, chew a piece of ginger till the sore is relieved.

Ginger hot tea is also for abdominal pains, indigestion, gas pains, vomiting and spasms. Travelers are advised to take one cup of ginger tea 30 minutes before the trip. for those suffering from seasickness bring along small pieces of ginger for chewing. Chew ginger to prevent nausea and dizziness. Ginger also brings relief for those with migraine headaches.

Ginger is rich vitamins A, C and B complex as well as phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium and magnesium. It also contains essential amino acids and other vital nutrients needed to protects the body from cancer-causing free radicals and reactive oxygen that can result in tissue degeneration which causes cancer.

Remember that even ginger is good in our health you should remember that the intake should not exceed 4 grams in a day, including ginger obtained through diet. For those suffering from cold, sore throat, headache, flu symptoms, and menstrual cramps, you may prepare this ginger drink: 2 tablespoons of freshly shredded ginger steeped in hot water. Drink this concoction 2-3 times daily until you are relieved.

For steam inhalation a drop of ginger oil or a few slices of fresh rhizome added to steaming water will work wonders.