GINGER is a highly effective herbal & natural medicine for a number of health issues. Its really simple and easy to consume it. Ginger is available in fresh and dried forms for uses in medical and culinary purposes.
Either use fresh ginger or you can also dry it under the sun. Dried ginger is also available in markets and for much ease, you can opt for powdered form of this herb. In Hindi language, dried (powdered) ginger is called sount. This form is also used as a Spice, worldwide. Ginger is the most essential spice used in Chinese Food.
Knowledge Fact: In India, ginger grown in Kerala is found to be superior than the ones grown in other parts of the country.
How to Consume Fresh Ginger
Fresh ginger can be sliced, chopped, grated or even juiced for different culinary purposes and also for medical purposes.
Culinary Uses
1. either use chopped, sliced or grated ginger for flavoring and garnishing your food such as soups, baking purposes, ginger candies, snacks, etc.
2. fresh ginger paste for marination purposes.
3. Sliced ginger, dipped in vinegar makes a wonderful pickle, but make sure, you store it in a glass jar.
3. ginger oil for flavoring your food, the way you like.
Knowledge Fact: Ginger is also used in the production of ginger beer, ginger ale and ginger wine. Earlier, it was used for spicing wines, possets and porter, the last one often being stirred with a red-hot poker.
Medical Uses
Ginger has been used as a Natural Medicine since ages. Its not useful in just one form.. but in every form, and for a greater number of health issues. Let's discuss its health benefits and its use accordingly:
1. Ginger for Digestive ailments-
such as flatulence, dyspepsia, colic, nausea & convulsions (vomitings), spasms in stomach.
Remedy 1- chewing a fresh piece of ginger after every meal is an excellent way to stay away from digestive troubles.
Remedy 2- take half a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mix one teaspoon each of fresh lime juice and fresh mint juice and one tablespoon of Honey. Excellent remedy to fight against dyspepsia, nausea & vomiting, morning sickness, jaundice and piles. Take this natural mixture twice-thrice a day, depending upon the severity of your condition.
2. Ginger for Colds & Coughs-
works excellent & quite safe for coughs & colds, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough and tuberculosis of the lungs.
Remedy 1- take half a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice and one teaspoon of Honey, preferrably raw honey (if possible). This needs to be taken twice a day, at least in severe coughs. For colds, cut fresh ginger into small pieces and boil in a cup of water. Strain it and add a teaspoon of sugar, preferrably brown sugar. Drink it in smaller sips while hot, inhaling the steam coming out of it.
Remedy 2- Prepare your own Ginger Tea: add few pieces of fresh ginger into boiling water, before you add tea leaves (its very essential to boil it before only). You can also add some Holy Basil leaves, if you desire. Add sugar according to your taste and enjoy it. Its as simple as it sounds !!
3. Ginger for Aches and Pains-
Being an excellent natural painkiller, ginger can cure almost every type of pain such as headaches, toothaches, earaches and most of all, joint pains. Now, you can also say that ginger gives noticeable relief from arthritis, naturally.
Now, how to use it for the purpose of :
Headache and Toothache- make your own ginger ointment by rubbing dry ginger with a little water and apply it on the affected area (forehead for headache or cheekbones for toothache).
Earache- a few drops of fresh ginger juice put into your ear brings relief.
Joint pain- Ginger contains anti-inflammatory components, including Gingerols and Zingibain, which suppress the substances that trigger pain and cause the tissues to swell.
Take 2-4 gm of ginger juice, extract or tea. Another way is to rub ginger oil on your affected joints or make a compress of warm ginger root and place it on the area.
CAUTION: Try to consume ginger in its fresh form, as its dried form is bit strong and might cause bloating, gas, heartburn or nausea in some. And for external application, there is no condition, as it won't cause any trouble.
4. Ginger for Sexual Debility-
A natural aphrodisiac is like a boon for sexual problems, and Ginger does the same. For effective results, take half a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice with a half-boiled egg and honey, for at least one month. You have to take it for once a day, strictly not more than once.. as its too hot in its element. It tones up your sex centres and cures impotency, premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea.
CAUTION: keep this thing in mind, when you are taking something too hot in element, you need to balance your diet according to that. Make sure, you don't include any other food ingredient with the same element in your daily diet, as it might affect your bloodstream, causing skin problems.
5. Ginger for Menstrual Disorders-
Make your own ginger infusion for this purpose.
A piece of fresh ginger should be pounded or crushed and boiled in a cupful of water for a few minutes. You can also add sugar to it, if needed. Take this infusion thrice a day, after your meals. This acts like a medicine in cases of dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea due to exposure to cold winds and taking cold bath.
Hope you enjoyed reading all the amazing health benefits of ginger root and how to use it for different purposes. So, remember to make it an important part of your diet. Take Care!
