The Amazing Benefits of Ginger by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The Amazing Benefits of Ginger

When It Comes To Treating Nausea, Motion Sickness, Poor Circulation, Arthritis, Or Digestive Issues, Ginger Is One Of The Best Herbs To Use

Ginger root has a diversity of uses. It is well known for alleviating nausea due to motion sickness, pregnancy, surgery, chemotherapy and other reasons. It can be taken before a nauseating event or on an on-going basis if nauseous all the time. Several studies in humans have shown positive results for ginger’s effectiveness in reducing nausea and vomiting.

Ginger Root is also a useful digestive aid that will increase digestive enzymes and speed up the transit time of food that is slow. It essentially increases the fire of digestion. It has a history of use in foods to help digest them and move them through the digestive tract. Ginger is generally combined with other herbs for stomach related issues because it is a carrier herb. Ginger accentuates most of the herbs for the lower abdominal and colon areas.

Ginger Root also has the ability to inhibit nuclear factor –kB (NF-kB), cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipooxygenase (LOX) enzymes and as a result helps reduce pain and inflammation in arthritic joints. In three placebo-controlled clinical trials for the treatment of osteoarthritis, ginger rhizome showed significant efficacy compared to placebo. For pain and inflammation, ginger can be used as an alternative to NSAIDs like ibuprofen without damaging gastrointestinal side effects that these meds commonly have. Ginger also has anti-ulcer effects and can help protect the intestinal mucosa from damage. Anyone suffering from heart burn, indigestion, acid-reflux, gas, nausea, or digestive disorders can be positively helped by regular use of ginger.

Ginger Root will increase circulation and warm one up. This effect helps to stimulate one’s metabolism which can be effective in losing weight. Ginger may help Raynaud’s syndrome (chronic cold hands and feet). It vasodilates blood to the peripheral tissues. In this mode it will help promote a sweat to detoxify or help to sweat out a fever. Use it (orally) while in a hot bath to promote the most sweating. This will also help to loosen up tight muscles. As a vasodilator, it may help lower high blood pressure too.

Ginger is excellent for helping those suffering with genital-reproductive issues as well. For menstrual cramps woman who use ginger experience amazing results.

Ginger is also an expectorant, meaning it helps stuck mucus to move from the respiratory tract.

Dr. John R. Christopher, in his book, “The School of Natural Healing, ” gives the following first-hand account of Ginger’s benefits on stomach pains:

“I remember when a lady called from Salt Lake to my residence in Cottonwood at three o’clock in the morning. Her daughter was screaming in the background with terrible stomach pain. I was tired, as I had been out on night calls and had just barely retired to bed, and I said, ‘Take some ginger and baking soda. The pain will stop; and go back to bed. I’ll call in the morning.’ She begged, ‘Oh, you’ve got to come.’ So I said, “All right.” I pulled on my clothes and set out. It was eight or ten miles, so before I got there, the pains grew so acute that she finally decided to do what I told her to do. And when I arrived, the daughter met me at the door—all smiles—no pain.”

There are many ways to obtain and use ginger. If you have experience peeling and slicing ginger like a lot of chef’s do, then fresh ginger used in meals or eaten with meals is one of the best ways to get ginger in your body. Others who prefer to drink tea with ginger may enjoy that too. Ginger tea is also very soothing if you need quick relief from nausea. For most people, it’s easier to just pop a few capsules of fresh ginger. If you’re one of those then 7 Lights offers a terrific ginger supplement. It comes in a bottle containing 90 vegetarian capsules. We use fresh Hawaiian ginger root that is 100% certified organic. Each capsule contains 500 mgs of certified organic Ginger Root (Zingebers officinalis). Ginger is something everyone should have on hand for regular use or for emergencies.

Caution: If you are pregnant it is highly recommended that you first do some further investigation on the Internet about using Ginger during pregnancy and also speak to your doctor.