Ginger: Exploring Its Medicinal Potential and Home Applications

(zingiber officinalis)

Ginger is one of the greatest of all natural medicines, used by Chinese doctors since 1,000BC and popular with European herbalists since the Middle Ages. It is a perennial plant that grows throughout China, Asia, the tropics and South America. The root is used both as a spice in food and in medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has recommended ginger for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rheumatism. Ginger is commonly used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis and rheumatism.

Incorporating ginger into your daily routine through these recipes can be a natural and enjoyable way to tap into its potential health benefits. However, consult a healthcare professional for specific medical advice or concerns, especially if you have existing health conditions or are pregnant.

What it does

Ginger contains powerful, active volatile oils which provide both its distinctive taste and smell as well as medicinal benefits. Zingiberene, zingerone, boreal, bisabolene, gingerols and shogaols are the most important compounds and are responsible for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pain relieving, anti-nausea and anti-vomiting effects.

Ginger is classified as an aromatic bitter, so in addition to it’s digestive toning properties, ginger has been traditionally used for stimulating the release of gastric secretions including stomach acid, bile and pancreatic enzymes. Ginger also contains proteases that are thought to be as effective as other proteolytic extracts (e.g. bromelain) for the breakdown of proteins.

Potential Uses

Medical Uses of Ginger:

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a versatile herb known for its potent medicinal properties:

1. Digestive Health: Ginger aids in digestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes, making it effective against indigestion, bloating, and nausea.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Its active compounds, gingerols, possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, potentially beneficial for conditions like arthritis.
3. Nausea and Morning Sickness: Ginger has been used to alleviate nausea, including morning sickness in pregnant women, often recommended by healthcare professionals.
4. Immune System Support: It contains antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system, making it an excellent addition during cold and flu season.
5. Pain Relief: Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties may help alleviate various types of pain, including menstrual cramps and headaches.

Recipes Using Ginger:

1. Ginger Infused Oil:

   • Ingredients: Fresh ginger, carrier oil (like olive or coconut oil).
   • Instructions: Grate ginger and combine with carrier oil. Let it infuse for a few days, then strain. Use as a massage oil for sore muscles.

2. Ginger Lemon Tea:

   • Ingredients: Ginger slices, hot water, lemon juice, honey (optional).
   • Instructions: Steep ginger slices in hot water, add lemon juice and honey to taste. Enjoy this soothing tea for digestive and immune support.

3. Ginger Turmeric Stir Fry:

   • Ingredients: Sliced ginger, turmeric powder, vegetables, protein of choice, soy sauce.
   • Instructions: Sauté ginger, turmeric, vegetables, and protein in a pan. Add soy sauce for a flavorful, anti-inflammatory stir fry.

Other information

Ginger has the ability to simultaneously improve gastric motility and exert antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle of the digestive tract, suggesting a significant potential in relieving indigestion, gas, bloating and the general symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Research suggests that compounds within ginger may be helpful in preventing ulcer formation caused by the administration of various drugs including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, pre-existing ulcers may be aggravated by ginger due to its bitter characteristics (which stimulate stomach acid activity).

Ginger has been shown to reduce serum and hepatic cholesterol levels and increase bile secretion.

Cautions

Not recommended in patients with pre-existing gastric (stomach or duodenal) ulcers, unless directed by a medical practitioner.

Gallstone sufferers should talk to their doctor before using ginger.

Ginger can be used for morning sickness at the beginning of pregnancy but is best not taken throughout the pregnancy.

Ginger should be avoided if you take blood thinning medications such ar warfarin or heparin.

At the time of writing there were no well known negative drug interactions with ginger.