Root for Ginger!
Along with all the joys of the holiday season, there can also be a great deal of stress and the maladies that accompany. Ginger’s long history of multiple health and culinary uses merits its greater use in our daily lives as we seek natural remedies to everyday ills.
Tummy Troubles
Next time you have an aching head or upset stomach, have a cup of ginger tea. It’s been known to help relieve numerous stress-related ailments including headache and sour stomach. Ginger is also able to ease symptoms of food poisoning including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In our family, we enjoy a flavorful tea made by Twinnings called Herbal Revive. It contains lemon and ginger in addition to some herbs.
To avoid motion sickness, travelers can carry ginger candies to stabilize digestion. A medical journal, The Lancet, reported that ginger is twice as effective as the pharmaceutical Dramamine.
Headaches and Inflammation
Ginger is able to decrease severity and frequency of headaches and reduce inflammation. It inhibits enzymes that speed up inflammatory processes and this effectively lessens the pathways for pain.
Research shows that ginger’s anti-inflammatory effects can also improve blood flow and relieve the aching of bursitis and arthritis. The tuberous root contains enzymes that reduce inflammatory hormones that interfere with healing.
Heart Healthy
Ginger is also reputed to decrease risk of stroke as it decreases platelet stickiness. Additionally, regular use can aid in lowering harmful LDL cholesterol.
There are numerous ginger products on the market including beverages, chews, crystallized ginger, and teas. You can make a spicy tea by boiling sliced or grated ginger in a cup or two of water. It’s very good with honey.
We like to always keep a fresh ginger root in the freezer. It’s easy to grate frozen and that way it never spoils or dries out.
