Benefits Of Ginger Root

Ginger is the name of a spice that is native to Asia and is widely used in cuisines across the continent. It is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant, which is scientifically known as Zingiber officinale. Apart from having culinary uses, ginger root has been found to have a large number of health benefits as well. These benefits can be attributed to its digestive, carminative, expectorant, antiseptic, analgesic, anti inflammatory, stimulating, and aphrodisiac properties. Ginger is used as a popular spice all over the world. The largest commercial producers of ginger today are Fiji, India, Jamaica, Australia and Indonesia. The spice is available in many forms like fresh, dried and powdered, candied, crystallized and picked forms. We bring you the diverse health benefits of ginger, in the lines below.

Health Benefits Of Ginger

Ginger serves as one of the best home remedies for motion sickness, upset stomachs, nausea, and headaches.
The anti-fungal property of ginger root helps ease the burn and itch suffered in case of athlete's foot.
The spice proves to be beneficial for people who are suffering from gas and heartburn.
It helps break down proteins, thus aiding digestion and preventing indigestion. It is also useful in preventing abdominal cramps.
Ginger stimulates and improves blood circulation, thereby alleviating high blood pressure.
Its extract help reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body, thus reducing the risk of coronary diseases.
The spice possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can prove beneficial to those suffering from arthritis.
The immunity-boosting abilities of ginger can contribute towards alleviating the symptoms of colds and flu.
The spice serves as a pain reliever for the individuals suffering from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
Ginger can be used, topically, to decrease the occurrence of pus in infected wounds and boils.
Being an antiseptic and carminative, it can be used for treating food poisoning, intestinal infections and bacterial dysentery.
The spice can also be used to treat irregular as well as painful menstrual discharges.
Having stimulant properties, ginger helps relieve depression, mental stress, exhaustion, dizziness, restlessness and anxiety.
Its root and oil are aphrodisiac in nature, thus effective in removing impotency and treating premature ejaculation.
Its juice can be used to dissolve kidney stones, while its oil is effective against yellow fever and malaria.
Ginger use has been found to be very helpful in controlling dandruff.

Caution

Ginger is not known to cause any allergic symptoms in people. It is also not found to contain any significant amount of purines or oxalates.

Cooking Tips

Ginger has to be consumed only after peeling its outer skin. Use a sharp knife to peel off the skin from a fresh ginger.
Ginger can be added to a dish in minced, sliced or julienned form.
Adding ginger to a dish gives it a distinct flavor. However, the flavor might differ, depending on when it is added to the dish.
Ginger flavor blends with almost every vegetable. It brings out a tempting taste when added to non-vegetarian foods.

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