Ginger is the root of the Zingiber officinale plant. Its skin is usually brown and because the root is available year-round, it can be thick or thin. Depending on the variety, the flesh of ginger root can be white, red or yellow. Ginger may appear a little plain next to a bright red apple or multi-colored mango, but this visibly plain root packs a pungent and spicy kick as well as some surprising medicinal benefits.
While ginger is native to Asia, use of this powerful root spread throughout Europe after it was imported by the Romans. Today, Jamaica, India, Fiji, Indonesia, and Australia are major producers of ginger. While the root’s popularity continues to grow, its medicinal properties and flare for spicing up cuisine have been valued for thousands of years.
When taken regularly ginger root can effectively:
- relieve nausea;
- promote healthy digestion;
- boost immunity;
- treat asthma;
- relieve pain;
- act as an anti-inflammatory;
- protect against colorectal cancer;
- induce cell death in ovarian cancer cells;
- and improve cardiovascular function/heart health.
Healthy Digestion
The history of Ginger use in India and China as a digestion aid goes back over 5000 years. Fortunately we don’t have to count on ancient texts to verify the power of ginger. Over the last few decades we have learned that ginger has an enzyme profile that promotes healthy digestion and aids our bodies in processing food through the intestine.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Regular consumption of ginger has been shown to provide pain relief and greater mobility to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, thanks to very powerful anti-inflammatory compounds called Gingerols, which are prevalent in ginger. Relief of muscle discomfort and swelling are also benefits of ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Safe Relief of Nausea
The April 2005 issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology confirmed ginger as effective in relieving the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This was determined after the review of controlled trials with a total of 675 participants. In other studies ginger proved to provide relief of nausea superior to that of over the counter medication such as Dramamine.
To learn how to shop, store and prepare ginger, check out our suggestions for further reading below. For more information on the medicinal properties of this powerful root, review our list of sources.
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