Amazing Benefits of Ginger Root

Ginger, with its unmistakable flavor and aroma, has been a constant in Asian cuisine since ages. Ginger is a perennial plant with the binomial name Zingiber officinale.

Interestingly enough, ginger root is not even a root. It actually is the horizontal subterranean stem or the rhizome of the plant. Basically, ginger is an underground stem that appears thick, knotted, and is beige in color. The stem above the ground is about 12 inches long and has long, narrow and ribbed green leaves, with white or yellowish-green flowers.

Ginger root contains fragrant oils and pungent compounds like shogaols and gingerols. The origins of ginger plants are traced to South East Asia, and it is believed to have traveled to Europe from India around 2000 years ago.

Before we move on to learning the benefits of ginger, there are a few points to remember regarding its consumption-

♦ Children below the age of 2 should not be given ginger.
♦ Children aged 6 to 10 can have up to 2 mg ginger per day.
♦ For adults, the permissible quantity is up to 4 g a day.
♦ Pregnant women should keep their ginger intake below 1 g per day.

Listed here are the various benefits of ginger root. If you happen to be confused about ensuring your ginger consumption everyday, we have a few inputs on effortlessly incorporating it in your regular meals.

♦ Half a teaspoon of shredded ginger added to a cup of green tea brings relief from nausea in general.

♦ It is an effective treatment for pregnancy-induced nausea, dizziness, and morning-sickness as well.

♦ Ginger aids digestion, and improves the appetite too.

♦ Headaches and sore throats can be cured by chewing on a pinch of minced ginger mixed with honey.

♦ Fresh ginger juice is used to treat burn injuries in some cases.

♦ Ginger boosts our immunity.

♦  Ginger can be used as a mild laxative and as an antacid.

♦ Ginger also assists the body to absorb the nutrients from the food we eat.

♦ Ginger is believed to possess aphrodisiac properties.

♦ It improves the production of digestive enzyme amylase present in the saliva.

♦ Blocked sinuses? Sipping on ginger tea will make breathing easier.

♦ Ginger is also sometimes used to treat chest pain, lower back pain, and stomach pain.

♦ A few drops of ginger oil in a warm bath will relieve body ache and fatigue.

♦ Ginger can be useful in treating colic and dyspepsia.

♦ It can lessen the pain caused by a migraine attack.

♦ Ginger extract is recommended for patients suffering from osteoarthritis.

♦ A study conducted by the University of Michigan reports that ginger powder, when applied to ovarian cancer cells managed to induce their destruction.

♦ At the University of Minnesota, it was found that ginger restricted the growth of colorectal cancer cells.

♦ Ginger essentially rules Asian cuisine.

♦ Asian stir fries and dips make use of ginger almost every single time.

♦ It usually pairs well with most meats, vegetables, and fruits as well.

♦ Gyin-tho (also called Gyin-thoke) is a popular salad in Myanmar, which counts ginger as an essential ingredient.

♦ One often hears of ginger tea and its benefits, but people in the Middle East love to add powdered ginger to their coffee.

♦ Ginger root is an inseparable part of Indian cuisine and is generously used in making vegetarian and non vegetarian delicacies.

♦ The pungent taste of ginger can be quite overbearing for some. These people can consume ginger capsules to reap its benefits.

♦ Nyamanku is a little-known drink from Ivory Coast, that uses ground ginger blended with orange, lemon, and pineapple. Refreshing and delicious, it is also very healthy.

♦ The Chinese cook sliced ginger in sweetened water and use the concoction to treat colds.

♦ Wedang Jahe is a caffeine-free Indonesian ginger tea made using palm sugar and pandan leaves.

It is evident that the numerous health benefits of ginger match up to its potential as a versatile ingredient in kitchens worldwide. So the next time you're suffering from a niggling ailment, do check if the magical herb ginger holds a cure!