Ginger-Health Benefits.

Ginger,  that we use in our homes is actually the root of the plant. Since ancient times, ginger has been used in cooking because of its flavor and its medicinal properties. Ginger was originally grown in southeast Asian countries, but is now grown in Jamaica and some other tropical countries also. Ginger is known to be a natural remedy in many health disorders and there are studies conducted, which have concluded these health benefits of ginger.

Image of Ginger Plant and Ginger root.

How Ginger Benefits You.

1. Ginger benefits on the Digestive Tract. Ginger is an effective remedy for indigestion, flatulence, dyspepsia, diarrhea, and stomach pain due to acidity and colic. Ginger is a good appetizer and because of its anti septic properties, it is used to treat intestinal infections.
2. Ginger Benefits on the Respiratory System. Ginger is a good expectorant and is helpful in removing the mucus from the throat and lungs. It is therefore useful  in treatment of cold, cough, bronchitis and bronchial asthma.
3. Ginger benefits on Cholesterol and Heart. Ginger helps to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. It also has anti clotting properties. These two properties of ginger make it an useful agent in prevention of heart strokes.
4. Benefits of Ginger on Nausea and Vomiting. Ginger is a good natural remedy to stop nausea and vomiting of morning sickness and motion sickness.
5. Benefits of Ginger on Blood Pressure. Ginger relaxes the smooth muscles which are present in the walls of the blood vessels. This action helps to reduce blood pressure.
6. Benefits of Ginger on Ovarian Cancer. The cancer research center of the university of Michigan concluded that taking ginger regularly helps to kill specifically the cancer cells in cases of ovarian cancer. This is because of the anti carcinogenic and anti oxidant properties of ginger.
7. Benefits of Ginger on Colorectal Cancer. Due to the ginger properties explained above, there is similar benefit from taking ginger in the treatment of colorectal properties.
8. Benefits of Ginger on Arthritis. Due to the anti inflammatory properties of ginger, pain and inflammation of arthritis are reduced on regular intake of ginger. These properties are due to the compound, gingerol, present in ginger. Regular intake of ginger stimulates the release of prostaglandin, which alleviates the pain.
9. Ginger and migraine. For this reason, ginger is also helpful in  migraine.
10. Ginger oil is used to massage the pain due to muscle spasm and cramps with good results.
11. Ginger is also given to treat the pain and cramps of  menstruation.

Doses of Ginger. Ginger supplements are available and are taken 100 to 200 mgm daily in divided doses. Alternatively, fresh ginger can be taken in grated form or as a powder. About ½ teaspoon three times a day would be ideal. You could also add ginger to your tea or coffee. Besides giving the beverages a good taste, ginger will also make the beverages healthier.

Side effect of ginger. In rare cases, ginger is known to cause acid reflux. However, on stopping ginger intake, this symptom goes away.

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