Ginger belongs to the same family of Turmeric which is ‘Zingiberaceae`. Probably that has something to do with the medicinal properties of ginger. Ginger is said to have originated in china. But Indians are the ones who have used it in huge proportions for culinary as well as the medicinal purpose. Even today India is the leading producer of ginger.

The contents such as Gingerol are responsible for its pungent smell as well as the herbal properties. The day to day ailments like cough and cold are always treated with the extracts of ginger in our society. Some of the other well known and well proved medicinal qualities of ginger are as follows.

For Digestion:

Ginger is known for thousands of years for its positive effect on our digestion. The taste of ginger itself would provoke the digestive juices. Having a ginger tea after meals would certainly aid the digestive process. It’s antibacterial and anti fungal properties would keep the intestines safe from the foreign bodies. However people with stomach ailments like ulcers are not advised to take huge quantities of raw ginger without the advice of a professional.

Against Tumors:

Even The American Cancer Society has agreed that the extract from ginger has either slowed down or prevented the growth of cancerous tumors in the animals. In another study it was found that the cancer cells died when they came into contact with the ginger solution. Ginger was found to be helpful against ovarian, breast and colon cancers.

In Nausea:

The feeling of sickness associated with vomiting sensation is called nausea. It might occur during pregnancy, while travelling on bus, while being on ship, while undergoing chemotherapy… The smell of ginger itself can relieve much of nausea. Ginger when taken during such situation is found to act as good as a medicine available in the drugstore. Even the Naval cadets were found to be relived from sea sickness after consuming ginger.

Anti inflammatory:

The ingredient of Gingerol mentioned before is found to be anti-inflammatory as well as analgesic (that reduces pain). That is the reason why ginger is advised frequently for the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis. In a few studies, when the patients suffering from the above ailments were regularly given the supplements extracted from ginger… the mobility of their joints seems to have improved and the pain associated with stress on joints seems to have been relived. Ginger is found to work as analgesic in migraines and menstrual pain as well.

Diabetic and cardiovascular diseases:

No health article can be complete without mentioning these two ailments that are associated with our day to day lifestyle and are major causes for our health troubles. Ginger was proved to encourage the intake of insulin into muscles thereby decreasing the levels of glucose in bloodstream. Regular intake of ginger was also associated with the decrease of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels which are major culprits for diabetics as well heart diseases. Besides minerals like Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc would ensure a free flow of blood towards the heart.

As the herbal values associated with ginger seems to be elevating day by day, the saying in future might be as follows - `A pinch of ginger a day keeps the doctor away`

--Nirjara