The Scoop on Ginger
Let’s talk about one of the most commonly overlooked herbs in our medicinal arsenal, and that is ginger. This magnificent herb has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and does wonders for healing the gut. It is most commonly used in cases of nausea, particularly morning sickness. However, it is beneficial for a myriad of health conditions such as insulin resistance, osteoarthritis, heart disease and chronic indigestion. If you are looking for an herb that helps to settle your frequent digestive discomfort, look no further.
Perhaps its most notorious benefit is its ability to relieve an upset stomach. Its origin traces back 5000 years in Chinese and Indian cultures. Ginger root got its start as a flavoring agent long before its medical use. Quickly, it has become one of the most commonly used herbs as we know it. However, not many people know about its benefits outside of helping to alleviate digestive-related issues.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is being recognized for its effects on chronic inflammation. This herb contains compounds that act similarly to medication used to treat pain, making it incredibly effective for managing inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or general joint pain. According to the National Library of Medicine, Ginger is not only effective when ingested, but also as a topical oil or cream. In 2014, a study was conducted to show its effectiveness in alleviating low back pain when used as an aromatic topical massage oil. The results concluded that ginger oil led to significant improvement in pain management as well as mobility, displaying both short-term and long-term effects.
Not only is it effective for treating certain conditions, but should also be consumed for preventative measures to reduce the inflammation in your body before it develops. That said, we should all be looking for ways to incorporate more ginger into our diets! The best part? You can find it almost anywhere! Head to your local supermarket or weekly farmers’ market and stock up! Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate it into our lifestyles. Most of these you can adjust to your liking.
Ginger & Turmeric Wellness Shots:
- 2 Ginger root
- 1 Tumeric root
- The juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon of honey
Carrot Ginger Soup:
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 cups chopped carrots (1 3/4 pounds or about 12 large carrots)
- 2 tablespoons peeled and minced ginger root
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup full fat coconut milk
Ginger Tea:
- Grate your ginger (amount depends on preference) and add it to your strainer. Let steep in hot water for 2 minutes. Add honey or lemon if you desire!
Give some of these recipes a try and let us know what you think! If you are looking for wellness & lifestyle tips, consult with us here at Naturna! We offer nutrition counseling for improving your general health or your chances of conceiving naturally. Reach out to us at 646-609-4250 or info@naturnalife.com for more information.
References:
Anh, N. H., Kim, S. J., Long, N. P., Min, J. E., Yoon, Y. C., Lee, E. G., Kim, M., Kim, T. J., Yang, Y. Y., Son, E. Y., Yoon, S. J., Diem, N. C., Kim, H. M., & Kwon, S. W. (2020, January 6). Ginger on human health: A comprehensive systematic review of 109 randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019938/
Leech, J. (2021, March 18). 11 scientifically proven health benefits of ginger. Healthline. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger
Overhiser, A. S., & Overhiser, S. (2022, April 14). 15 ginger recipes using the fresh root. A Couple Cooks. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.acouplecooks.com/ginger-recipes/
Rondanelli, M., Fossari, F., Vecchio, V., Gasparri, C., Peroni, G., Spadaccini, D., Riva, A., Petrangolini, G., Iannello, G., Nichetti, M., Infantino, V., & Perna, S. (2020, November). Clinical trials on pain lowering effect of ginger: A narrative review. Phytotherapy research : PTR. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7754412/
