If you enjoy the taste of pungent
spices, ginger is likely already a staple item in your kitchen pantry. Full of
zesty flavor that can liven up any dish; fresh ginger root is truly beyond
compare. Few people know how healthy this lumpy looking root really is. If your
exposure to ginger is limited to a cup of tea every once in a while, you are
missing out on the health benefits that this tropical root has to offer.
1.
Boosts your brainpower: Ginger
is a certified brain-booster, inhibiting an inflammatory response in the brain
that can help increase your brain function. Ginger helps with memory loss and
dementia,
and improves other cognitive functions. Oxidative stress, along with chronic
inflammation accelerates our aging process. Use fresh ginger to your morning
smoothie for a quick pick-me-up.
2.
Can heal and repair cuts and wounds: Ginger
can help with scars and wounds. Armed with strong antiseptic properties, ginger
is a great agent for helping heal cuts and abrasions. It is known to aid in
keeping away infections while encouraging cell regeneration. Make ginger a part
of your daily diet, or simply pat a wound with a piece of fresh ginger to
quicken the healing process. Just make sure to never ignore these
signs of an infected cut.
3.
Eliminates dandruff: Flaky, itchy, dry
skin on your scalp is frustrating to deal with—and finding a fix isn't always easy.
But instead of testing out every dandruff-fighting product at your local
drugstore, give all-natural ginger a try. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and
antiseptic properties, ginger works hard to effectively battle the flakes.
Mix 3 tablespoons of
freshly grated ginger with 4 tablespoons of jojoba oil and massaging the
mixture deep into your scalp. This treatment is ideal to use overnight. Just
wear a plastic cap secured with a comfortable head wrap and rinse out with
shampoo in the a.m.
4.
Helps fight acne: Are you battling
breakouts left and right with no sign of clear skin in sight? Put the
store-bought products on pause and let ginger work its magic. Our ancestors
have been using the stuff for thousands of years."The antiseptic and
anti-oxidant ingredients in ginger respectively help fight against the bacteria
and free radicals that cause acne.
It also helps promote
skin renewal, improve blood circulation and reduces blemishes. Add some ginger
juice (grate fresh ginger and squeeze out the juice) to your favorite mask for
acne treatment. Here are other natural acne-fighting
supplements
that may clear up your pimples once and for all.
5.
Improves brain function: Chronic inflammation is a trigger for premature aging and
can even be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of mental decline.
However, the antioxidants in ginger have been shown to inhibit this
inflammatory response, thereby preventing these age-related conditions from
developing.
Even better, ginger has been shown to enhance your level of
brain function directly. Studies
on middle-aged woman have shown that taking ginger can improve their reaction times
and memory building abilities.
6.
Improves the skin's texture and signs of aging: Ginger
has been revered as an anti-aging ingredient in both Ayurvedic and Chinese
medicine for thousands of years. The antioxidants present in ginger increases
collagen production, reduce skin damage, and inflammation.
Ginger has also been
known to reduce the appearance of hyper pigmentation (dark blotches of skin).
Rub a small slice of fresh ginger on hypo pigmented scars about two to three
times a day. For optimum results, repeat this process for at least six weeks.
7.
Lowers blood pressure:
The research is still being conducted, but there is good evidence that ginger
has some powerful potential to lower blood pressure. Giving type 2 diabetes patients two grams of ginger powder
every day managed to lower their blood pressure levels by 12%. The levels of HbA1c (a marker for
blood sugar levels over the long term), also saw a 10% reduction in the same
time frame.
8.
Lowers cholesterol:
The foods you eat have a strong impact on the levels of cholesterol in your
body, and ginger is a powerful way to reduce those levels. Studies have shown that taking a few grams of ginger every day can lower the
amount of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in your body and reduce your risk of heart
disease.
9.
Nausea treatment:
When used as a remedy against sea sickness and other forms of nausea, ginger has been found to be just as effective as
prescription medication. It’s also been found to help relieve nausea after
surgical procedures, and can even quell bouts of morning sickness caused by
pregnancy.
Just three capsules of ginger can help your stomach release its contents into
the small intestine, which helps relieve nausea right at the source. Ginger
also works to relax the smooth muscles in your stomach lining, which allows
food to move through the system just as nature intends.
10.
Prevents bacterial infections: Studies have shown that ginger has some big benefits for enhancing the
effectiveness of your immune system. Ginger is as effective in killing
dangerous pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus as regular antibiotics. Because the spread of staph
infections is becoming increasingly common in hospitals, the immune-boosting
benefits of ginger should not be discounted.
For this reason, it’s a smart idea to bring some ginger essential oil with you the next time you go to the hospital. A few drops
in your water can go a long ways towards keeping you safe from dangerous
infections.
11.
Promotes hair growth: Dealing
with thinning hair—or pesky patches of
baldness? Ginger is excellent in aiding the hair growth process. It stimulates
scalp follicles, nourishes strands, and combats hair loss. Use it on a weekly
basis, this hair treatment to enjoy healthy hair: Take a tablespoon of fresh
ginger and squeeze out the juice into half a cup of virgin coconut oil. Mix
well and apply to dry hair. Leave on for about 20 to 30 minutes and wash out.
12.
Reduces cellulite: No one likes
cellulite, but we all have it. Instead of splurging on expensive creams and
scrubs that promise to tighten and firm your derriere, give ginger a go. Ginger
increases circulation and cell regeneration which in turn helps fight
cellulite. You can make your own ginger scrub and apply it directly to your
skin in the shower.
For an invigorating, whole-body detox scrub,
Combine 1 cup of organic sugar, ½ cup of olive oil, 4 tablespoons of grated
ginger and squeezed juice from ½ of a lemon. Rub this mixture onto your skin
using circular motions while focusing on the most problematic areas and rinse
with cold water.
“Black tea boiled with a small piece of ginger is the best remedy for [a] cold, sore throat, and other upper respiratory tract infections.” (SMIDr)[i]
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| Ginger Root |
[i] Sources used:
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