The Healing Benefits of Ginger

Lisa Franchi July 17, 2013

Ginger is the ‘secret’ ingredient behind many of our favourite dishes, from basic barbecue sauces and marinades to soups, stews, and a whole lot more. But apart from being a culinary marvel, ginger is also a healing wonder.

From relieving infections and viral diseases to combating cancer-causing free radicals, ginger’s health benefits are undeniably stunning. Here are the amazing health benefits of this popular spice:

Viral and Fungal Infections

Viral and fungal infections are among the most difficult to treat. These days, there are even drug-resisting fungi. In one study, Canadian researchers found that several plant extracts from ginger, along with butternut, have pronounced antifungal activity against a wide variety of fungi, including those that are resistant to drugs. Because of its anti-viral properties, ginger is also an effective immune system booster.

Digestive Disorders

Ginger has beneficial effects to our digestive system. A healthy dose of ginger can help prevent the onset of many digestive disorders that commonly affect many people.

Nausea and Motion Sickness

Ginger has long been used to treat nausea and motion sickness. In one study, one group of pregnant women suffering from morning sickness were given beverages with ginger and another group were given a placebo. Those who took ginger experienced significant improvement in their condition than those who took the placebo supplement. A clinical trial conducted by scientists at Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan suggests that ginger may act as a novel agent in the prevention and treatment of motion sickness. Another study by Sienna University in New York found that ginger holds potential in treating chemotherapy-induced delayed nausea.

Inflammation

Inflammation is one of the top causes of serious illnesses in humans, including neurodegenerative diseases. Numerous studies support the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger. The plant contains antioxidants that have the ability to inhibit the production of nitrous oxide and inflammatory cytokines that could cause general inflammatory disease and cancer.

Bacterial Diarrhoea

Ginger contains zingerone, a compound that binds with the toxins so they do not interact with the gut. This extraordinary ability of ginger makes it a good preventive measure for bacterial diarrhoea, and a safe and powerful natural antibiotic.

Menstrual Pain

In a double blind study by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran, researchers compared the effect of mefenamic acid, ibuprofen and ginger in relieving menstrual pain and found that ginger was more effective than the two prescription drugs.

Other Benefits

Ginger has also been found to aid in many other illnesses, such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies which compared the therapeutic effects of indomethacin (drug used to treat pain from inflammation) and ginger suggest that ginger is just as effective, if not, better than the said drug.

There are plenty of ways to add ginger in your diet. You can add it in your daily cooking, or you can take ginger extract. If you decide to go with the extract, be aware that it has two forms – water and alcohol-based. Water-based ginger extract works well with many herbs as a diet supplement whilst alcohol-based ginger is often used for medical purposes. Ginger tea is another great option. Instead of coffee in the morning, you can revitalise your day with a cup of warm ginger tea.