Ginger is a spice containing over 400 natural compounds traditionally used for many years to treat nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. It comes from a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia and is closely related to turmeric. It’s the root that is used medicinally due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferatory properties. The main bioactive plant compound in ginger root is gingerole, and its use is revered by many holistic and conventional practitioners.
Here are eight useful benefits of ginger you must know:
- Relieves nausea and vomiting. This is the most beneficial use of ginger. It contains plant compounds called shogoals and as I just mentioned gingerole, which work by blocking the body’s reflux to vomit and accelerating gastric emptying. Gingerole stimulates digestive enzymes and eases bloating.
When my husband became nauseated on a cruise in the North Sea with swells capping 20 feet, our steward brought him fresh ginger.
There are several studies that indicate ginger can be used to reduce nausea in chemotherapy patients. A 2015 meta-analysis of clinical trials found that chemotherapy patients who took a ginger supplement experienced less nausea than those who did not. These patients also relieved their nausea with the side effects of anti-nausea medications. My naturopathic doctor at my cancer center advised me to take ginger during my chemotherapy to ease nausea and vomiting.
Ginger is also known to relieve morning sickness in pregnant women. According to John Hopkins Medicine, even the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology mentions ginger as a nonpharmalogical remedy for nausea and vomiting. But it’s important to check with your doctor for dosage during pregnancy. Too much ginger might not be recommended.
- Boosts immunity. The gingerole in ginger is packed with antifungal and antimicrobial properties that boost your immune system. It also contains anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, which are known to fight against colds and flu. Ginger can also reduce fevers, headaches, and coughs. This is why so many use ginger with Covid-19, colds, flu, and upper respiratory infections.
- Benefits cancer patients. According to studies, ginger helps prevent pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancer. One study showed promise with prostate cancer patients. Ginger may also complement conventional cancer treatments by lowering inflammation, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, and protecting the body from oxidative stress. And as already mentioned, ginger can be used to relieve nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Can be used as an analgesic. Ginger is a natural pain reliever. It’s the anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger that work to eliminate compounds in the body that cause pain. Dr. Henry Jenkins encouraged me to try a ginger and turmeric supplement when I was having back issues years ago to avoid the side effects of pain medications. According to Harvard Health, ginger can alleviate both inflammation and pain associated with migraines, muscle soreness, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and lupus.
- May aid in weight loss. According to animal and now human studies, ginger may play a role in weight loss. Ginger decreases inflammation, stimulates digestion, and suppresses your appetite. A meta-analysis of studies found that ginger had an impact on body weight and belly fat. The plant chemical, gingerole, has an anti-obesity effect which helps food to digest faster and stimulates the speed of food moving through the colon. Gingerole may also stabilize your blood sugar, which is also key to weight loss. Adding lemon to ginger is a good combo for weight loss. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that obese women receiving 2 grams of ginger per day in capsules were less hungry and experienced reduced BMI.
- Prevents heart disease. Ginger supports a healthy heart by lowering cholesterol levels and by acting as a natural blood thinner. As already mentioned, it reduces inflammation, which improves heart function. I use a drop of ginger essential oil in my daily tonic for this reason.
- Improves brain health. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to lower oxidative stress also provide benefits for brain health. Inflammation and oxidative stress are behind almost every chronic disease. Ginger enhances memory, reaction time, and focus. It also stimulates serotonin and dopamine production. Maybe ginger tea or eating ginger would be a better alternative than drinking coffee during exams to increase focus, which prevents much-needed sleep.
Ginger adds a zingy flavor to stir-fries and curries, teas, baked goods such as gingerbread, and drinks such as smoothies. Ginger can be consumed raw, brewed as a tea, in capsule form, or you can chew on candied ginger. The soft drink ginger ale contains gingerole, but unfortunately also contains high amounts of sugar and carbonation. Most anti-nausea remedies include ginger. Many people consider ginger as a medical marvel.
Ginger is considered generally safe, but it can interfere with certain medications such as blood thinners, and it’s not recommended for those with gallstones. So check with your doctor. It’s recommended to consume 3-4 grams of ginger daily for health benefits, but excessive consumption of 5 grams or more can lead to gastric issues, diarrhea, and heartburn.
As I mentioned earlier, if you are pregnant, check with your doctor for use and dosage, especially if experiencing morning sickness. Fresh ginger is more effective for nausea and digestion, but dried ginger works better for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
To make a ginger tea, simple buy the fresh ginger in the grocery store. Cut it into small pieces and steep in boiling water for ten minutes. Fresh ginger is more potent.
What have you used this spice for? After reading this, what might you use ginger for in the future?
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Seven Useful Benefits of Ginger
For Your Health,
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, a finalist in Serious Writers Book of the Decade, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com. Ginny is on YouTube
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***** This content is strictly the opinion of Ginny Brant and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Ginny Brant nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. *****
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