Ginger – The Super Spice with Amazing Health Benefits

Some Everyday Health Benefits of Ginger

• Helps to relieve nausea. If you are feeling nauseous or throwing up, or experiencing morning sickness, one of the best ways to relieve those symptoms is to brew some hot ginger tea or sip some ginger ale.
• Promotes healthy sweating. Researchers have found that sweat contains a powerful agent named Dermicidin that combats germs and may help fight off infections. Ginger is concentrated with potent active substances that activate the sweat glands and can be helpful in fighting off the cold or the flu.
• Eases painful menstrual periods. Ginger taken in 500 mg doses, three times a day in the early days of menstural periods has been shown to substantially reduce the level of pain and discomfort, according to one study. The results seem to be comparable to some well-known over the counter medications marketed for reducing menstrual pain.
• Clears Congestion. Ginger is a natural expectorant. It helps your body to relax the muscles surrounding your airways so you can loosen phlegm in your lungs and expel it. If you are dealing with stubborn allergies, asthma or congestion, some warm ginger tea and lemon tea taken a few times a day can work wonders for clearing things up.
• Strengthens the Immune System. Ginger oil contains properties that help to breakdown toxins in the body’s organs and cleanse the lymphatic system. So by reducing the toxins that can increase your sucepitibility to infections, you effectively boost the immune system.
• Helps to Support Brain Function. A group of 60 healthy middle-aged women were participants in a study to evaluate the benefits of ginger on memory and brain function. Women were selected at random to receive ginger extract or control once a day for two months. The results showed that the group who received the ginger extract had improved their attention and cognitive processing capabilities, with no side effects.

Fresh ginger root can be found year round in your local market’s produce section. In its natural form it contains a more robust flavor, higher levels of ginnerol and the active anti-inflammatory compound, compared to the dried form.

This wonderful, multipurpose spice is also quite hearty and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks if left unpeeled. Stored unpeeled in the freezer, it can retain its efficacy for as long as six months.