Ginger

Have you met Ginger yet? I highly recommend it!

Hello friend,

Enter the wonderful world of ginger which has many more uses than a yummy spice in your kitchen. But before we go there, let’s have a little history lesson.

We use the root of the ginger plant. Ginger originated in China before spreading to India and the Maluku Islands, also known as the ‘Spice Islands’ because of the nutmeg, mace, and cloves that were exclusively found there, sparking colonial interest from Europe in the 16th century.

It is said that when Rome fell, Europe forgot about ginger and it wasn’t rediscovered again until Marco Polo brought it back after his travels in the East. Ginger was eventually brought to the Caribbean, where it grows with ease. However, India is now the greatest producer of this spice in the world.

Here are 10 health benefits of ginger:

1- It keeps your mouth healthy: Ginger has active compounds called gingerols that keep oral bacteria from growing. These are the same bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

2- Calms nausea: Ginger helps if you are trying to ease a queasy stomach, especially during pregnancy. It may work by breaking up and getting rid of built-up gas in your intestines. It might also help settle sea sickness or nausea caused by chemotherapy.

3- Soothes sore muscles: Ginger won’t whisk away muscle pain on the spot, but it may tame soreness over time. In some studies, people with muscle aches from exercise who took ginger had less pain the next day than those who didn’t.

4- Eases arthritis symptoms: Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, which means it reduces swelling. This may be especially helpful for treating symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. You might get relief from pain and swelling either by taking ginger by mouth or by using a ginger compress or patch on your skin.

5- Curbs cancer growth: Some studies show that bioactive molecules in ginger may slow down the growth of some cancers like colorectal, gastric, ovarian, liver, skin, breast, and prostate cancer. But much more research is needed to see if this is true.

6- Lowers blood sugar: One recent small study suggested that ginger may help your body use insulin better. Larger studies are needed to see if ginger could help improve blood sugar levels.

7- Eases period pains: Got menstrual cramps? Ginger powder may help. In studies, women who took 1,500 milligrams of ginger powder once a day for 3 days during their cycle felt less pain than women who did not.

8- Lowers cholesterol: A daily dose of ginger may help you battle your “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study, taking 5 grams of ginger a day for 3 months lowered people’s LDL cholesterol by an average of 30 points.

9- Protects against disease: Ginger is loaded with compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging.

10- Relieves indigestion: If you live with chronic indigestion also called dyspepsia, ginger could bring some relief. Ginger before meals may make your system empty faster, leaving less time for food to sit and cause problems.

Here is an easy ginger tea recipe that is delicious and beneficial for your body.

Grate freshly peeled ginger root into tiny pieces. Add 2 cups of boiling water and let it steep for at least ten minutes before straining it. Add sweetener if desired.

I hope you have a greater appreciation for ginger! Thank you Maria Atwood for this valuable information.

Have a wonderful week!

Much love and gratitude-Janalee