Are you curious to know more about the healing properties of Ginger? Here are five reasons to increase your ginger consumption.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a popular food item used around the world, but it is quickly shifting focus from food to medicine. Although ginger has been used for thousands of years to cure common ailments, the healing properties of ginger have not always been fully understood until medical and biological institutions have conducted analyses to prove them by scientific means.
You can learn about the healing properties of ginger by doing a little research and reading about this amazing plant.
This post takes a look at 5 of the healing properties of ginger that are more commonly studied. There are links at the bottom for those who want an in-depth look at all of the healing properties of ginger that go beyond what we will be discussing here.
Powerful Healing Properties of Ginger
1. Anti Inflammatory
Ginger has been shown in recent studies to have powerful anti inflammatory responses in the body (particularly, inflammatory bowel conditions). Perhaps there is something more to the ginger tea your loved ones suggest to you when you’re sick or nauseous. Besides the soothing effects to a sore throat, ginger tea and ginger in various forms alleviate pain just as effectively as over-the-counter NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) but without the negative side effects to the gut biome. For chronic pain, ginger tablets in pill form are more potent and thus more effective in the treatment of inflammation and the science suggests that consistent use is necessary to produce the desired effects in terms of pain relief.
2. Fights and Protects Against Cancer
Clinical studies show that certain chemicals within the rhizome of the ginger plant help prevent tumor formation ( Mao et al.) Some of the studies cited in this article tested the healing properties of ginger against breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers. The healing properties of ginger both stopped cancer formation in its tracks and reversed normal cell activity in the body that was currently going through degeneration. In short, the proinflammatory characteristics of ginger which strengthen the immune responses in the body allow the system to heal itself. It is thus, a vehicle for healing against one of the world’s prominent killers.
3. Antioxidant Powerhouse
There are many companies that market their products as being packed with antioxidants but few that explain what they do. An antioxidant in simple terms is a chemical (enzyme or other organic compound) contained in food that prevents cell damage. “It has been known that overproduction of free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species, plays an important part in the development of many chronic diseases.” (Mao et. al.) When this process occurs in healthy cells, aging is accelerated and disease formation gains momentum. The strongest antioxidant activity occurred in dried ginger according to the studies listed below.
4. Helps with Nausea
If there are any qualities commonly praised about ginger it is the positive effect it has on nausea. With pregnant women being the largest group of users for ginger and nausea, most of us have heard of ginger being used for this specific ailment. Click here for more on how to use ginger for nausea. Although ginger is often used to treat nausea at the onset of symptoms, the studies suggest ginger can also be used as a preventative measure before symptoms occur.
5. Fights Disease
Perhaps the greatest reason to use ginger is in the treatment of disease. Ginger is known to be effective in combating viral, fungal and bacterial infections. For respiratory infections raw ginger is best to use as well as ginger oil made from a live, unheated rhizome. It has been shown to alleviate symptoms in viral infections by blocking and suppressing biofilm formation (i.e., the cellular processes that occur during viral infections which invade normal, healthy cells are blocked from completion). It also inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi which can shorten the life of infections.
Whether you use ginger for cooking or as a deliberate attempt to appease your symptoms related to illness please always consult with a doctor on the methods and dosage of ginger relative to your age and weight. This article is not intended for medical advice but for the purpose of education in natural healing modalities.
**Disclaimer (As with anything, please speak with your doctor about any supplements/herbal remedies prior to use. Naturopathic physicians are highly recommended.) Any doctor that discourages you from using natural, plant-based foods for healing may not be educated in healing the body as an entire system. Find a doctor that upholds their oath in your best interests and encourages dialogue about modern allopathic methods in relation to natural healing modalities.
References
Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6616534/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/
https://europepmc.org/article/med/23123794
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235007127_Comparing_the_Effects_of_ginger_Zingiber_officinale_extract_and_ibuprofen_On_patients_with_osteoarthritis
