When the Creator created human beings, He created them with all the necessary things for human life. Plants are one of the many things that creator has created for human beings and some plants are serving our world as medicines that can cure many diseases and are the source of many medicines.
Today we will be looking at Ginger among the many plants that are serving as medicinal and sources of medicine.
 |
| Ginger |
What is Ginger?
Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudo stems about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades.
Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale ;Higher Classification: Ginger ; Rank: Species
The genus Zingiber is native to Southeast Asia especially in Thailand, China, the Indian Subcontinent, and New Guinea. It contains the true gingers, plants grown the world over for their culinary value. The most well-known are Z. officinale and Z. mioga, two garden gingers.
People
have used ginger in cooking and medicine since antiquity. It remains a popular
home remedy for nausea, stomach pain, and other health issues.
Benefits
 |
| Ginger Tea |
Ginger may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Below are some of ginger’s potential medicinal uses.
Gingerol
Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional and alternative medicine. It’s been used to aid digestion, reduce nausea, and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few of its purposes.The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol. Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger. It’s responsible for much of ginger’s medicinal properties.
Just 1–1.5 grams of ginger can help prevent various types of nausea, including chemotherapy-related nausea, nausea after surgery, and morning sickness. It’s recommended that pregnant women who are close to labor or who’ve had miscarriages avoid ginger. Ginger is contraindicated with a history of vaginal bleeding and clotting disorders as well
According to studies in animals and humans, ginger may help improve weight-related measurements. These include body weight and the waist-hip ratio.Ginger’s ability to influence weight loss may be related to certain mechanisms, such as its potential to help increase the number of calories burned or reduce inflammation.
Several studies have investigated ginger’s effects on the gasses that form in the intestinal tract during digestion. This research indicates that enzymes in ginger can help break up and expel this gas, providing relief from any discomfort. In addition, the research shows that ginger may help increase movement through the digestive tract, suggesting that it may relieve or prevent Constipation.
Osteoarthritis (OA)is a common health problem There are some studies showing ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the knee.
Many people use ginger to help recover from a cold or the flu. However, the evidence supporting this use is mostly anecdotal. A Large cross-sectional study from 2017 suggested that daily ginger consumption may support the immune system. This may protect against chronic disease and support recovery from other illnesses, such as the common cold or flu.
A small 2019 study on the effects of ginger extract on smokers and nonsmokers found that daily consumption of ginger extract was associated with a stronger antibody response in nonsmokers.However, confirming ginger’s effects on the immune system will require further research.
A 2015 review concluded that taking ginger by mouth is “modestly efficacious and reasonably safe” for treating inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. However, the authors noted that the studies in their meta-analysis were small and may not represent the general population. Meanwhile, a 2017 review of 16 clinical trials determined that the phytochemical properties in ginger may combat inflammation. These authors also called for further research into the most effective dosages and types of ginger extract.
Ginger may ease pain through anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of its gingerol compounds. A 2016 review concluded that ginger may specifically help reduce dysmenorrhea reduce pain right before or during a period. However, the authors acknowledge that the studies they had reviewed were often small or of poor quality. Fully exploring a connection between ginger consumption and pain relief will require more research.
Ginger appears to be very effective against menstrual pain when taken at the beginning of the menstrual period. More recent studies have also concluded that ginger is more effective than a placebo and equally as effective as drugs such as mefenamic acid and acetaminophen/caffeine/ibuprofen (Novafen). While these findings are promising, higher quality studies with larger numbers of study participants are still needed.
High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. the foods you eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels.
In a 2018 study of 60 people with hyperlipidemia, the 30 people who received 5 grams of ginger-pasted powder each day saw their LDL (bad) cholesterol levels drop by 17.4% over a 3-month period. There’s some evidence, in both humans and animals, that ginger can lead to significant reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood triglyceride levels.