Ginger Root and Benefits

Ginger

By Karen Benford Smith

Ginger is rhizome (underground stem), used as a spice in cooking or for medicinal purposes. This stem can be found in powered form, dried, fresh, as a juice or oil.  Ginger to aid in the relief of stomach pain, muscle or arthritic joint pain, and as a laxative.

Cancer treatment that causes nausea can be soothed with ginger.  Motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea can be treated with ginger. 

Drink ginger tea during a menstrual cycle to soothe the cramping.  Other muscle pains can be relieved with ginger heated and applied directly to the affected area.  Some individuals have had positive outcomes drinking ginger tea when afflicted with upper respiratory problems.

Ginger is also used to improve the taste of food and beverages.

Studies have shown that ginger can reduce the inflammation of osteoarthritis.  An individual would have to take 250 mg four times a day of ginger extract (Zintona EC) for three months to actually begin to feel the effects.  (Ginger, 2013).

The chemicals in ginger work to keep nausea and inflammation down by working chiefly in the intestines and stomach region.  Ginger is also has properties that control nausea and as a carminative (an ingredient that reduces gas in the intestinal tract).

Ginger Compress

Ginger compresses can be placed directly on achy muscles or aching joints.  Slice raw ginger, approximately four ounces, into lean slices.  Boil one-half gallon of water to a rolling boil then add the slices of ginger and let simmer for 20 minutes. Take a towel and dip it into the water, wring it out, and place on the area that is in pain.  Cover with another towel to keep the heat from evaporating.  Place the towel back in the ginger water after the towel has cooled off.  Repeat one more time. Again this is effective in treating arthritic and muscular pain.  Also works for areas in the back that are having spasms.

Ginger Bath

Take eight ounces of ginger and slice very thin.  Place in boiling water and let simmer for 40 minutes.  Add the simmered ginger to a hot bath and wait for the bath water to cool.  Soothing to joints and inflamed muscles that occur all over the body.

The cost of ginger is $5.00 per pound as of yesterday when shopping at Publix.  The benefits of ginger are amazing per cost per pound and if used often will relieve most muscular and arthritic problems.  Why not consider switching to ginger versus over the counter pain relievers.  Natural pathic ways surely are less expensive and safer for the body.

 

 

 

Ginger. (2013, August 3). Retrieved from Medline Plus Trusted Health Information for You: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugino/natural/961.html

Michael Reed Gach, P. (2012). Accupressure Pain Relief. Kihei: Accupressure.com.

Weil, D. (2013, February 4). Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid. Retrieved from My Four Favorite Anti-Inflammatory Foods: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART032227/My-Four-Favoirte-AntiInflammatory-Foods.html