Ginger Herb

Other Names: Zingiber officinale, East Indian pepper, Black ginger, African ginger, Shringara(Sanskrit), Adrak(Hindi), and Zingiberis (Ancient Greek)

Useful Parts of the Plant: The underground root (rhizome) and essential oils

Ginger is an important herb and has been used for centuries in cooking as well as for treating various ailments.



It is supposed to have originated in India, though it has been widely used in Asia since ages old. It was an important plant and was used by the ancient Romans as well. The part mostly used is the underground root called the rhizome. It is light brown and heavily knotted. Ginger is mostly used in its rhizome form for cooking purposes.



It is also commonly available in the dried and powdered form as well.

Nutritional Information and Properties of Ginger Herb:

The nutritional information for ginger is as follows.It is rich in vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese, it is low in cholesterol, and it has very negligible amounts of saturated fats and sodium. One teaspoon of ginger contains 1.6 calories, 8.3 mg of potassium, and 0.9 mg of magnesium. An important health benefit of magnesium is strong and healthy bones. Ginger is also known to help cure migraines, constipation, and even hypertension, owing to the magnesium content. Potassium is a mineral that is found in substantive quantities in the human body.



It helps to keep important organs like the heart, brain, and kidney in proper shape. Since ginger is rich in potassium as well, it becomes important to the body’s overall well-being.

Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses of Ginger Herb:

Medicinal uses of ginger have been expounded for centuries, and it continues to be used as a popular home remedy. It contains a compound called gingerol that is responsible for its healing properties. Some of its benefits are enlisted as under.

• Ginger is used in the treatment of nausea caused by motion sickness and pregnancy in women. A popular home remedy suggests ingesting ginger powder at least anhour before travelling in order to prevent motion sickness.
  
  
  
  Pregnant women can eat ginger in moderate quantities to prevent nausea as well. Research has corroborated the benefits of ginger for nausea.

• Ginger uses for health also include combating the common cold symptoms like a sore throat and a heavy head. Hot ginger tea drunk a few times a day helps to alleviate the symptoms.

• Other benefits of ginger include its anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have revealed its use as a pain reducing agent with patients suffering with painful conditions like osteoarthritis.

• Ginger tea benefits include helping to relax and soothe tired muscles. A ginger tea compress placed over the affected area can help in doing this.
  
  
  
  As it is known for its hot properties, it is useful for healing purposes.

• Ginger is also known to reduce cholesterol and prevent heart diseases in the long run. Ancient Chinese medicine believed that ginger was essential to maintain a strong and healthy heart.

• Studies have shown that ginger can help to combat ovarian cancer. Research also indicates that ginger helps to ease nausea due to chemotherapy as well as nausea after surgery.

• Ginger oil uses for stomach upsets such as flatulence and diarrhea are also well known. It also helps to treat food poisoning cases due to its carminative properties.

• It is also believed that ginger helps to aid digestion. This can be seen in Japanese restaurants where thin slices of ginger are served along with the meal.

Precautions/Side Effects/Warnings:

Side effects of ginger include an upset stomach if eaten in large quantities.



Also, people with ulcers should consult their physician before consuming ginger. In addition, it is known to be a menstrual stimulant and can cause abortions if eaten in large quantities. People who take blood thinning medication need to consult their doctors before consuming ginger supplements or ginger in large quantities as this may interfere with their medication.