Ginger or kion (Zingiber officinale) is a plant of the Zingiberáceae family, whose root is made up of horizontal rhizomes that are highly appreciated for their aroma and spicy flavor. The plant reaches a height of 90 cm, with 20 cm long leaves. In this article we will teach you how to prepare different infusions and home remedies with this magnificent root.
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Uses and properties of ginger.
- Few vegetables have as many beneficial health properties as ginger. The ginger root is ideal for relieving coughs and sore throats, and has been used since ancient times as a gastrointestinal stimulant and the central nervous system.
- It reduces fatigue and contains many antioxidants.
- Ginger grows in all tropical regions of the world. The highest quality and most expensive varieties generally come from Australia, India and Jamaica, while the most commercialized varieties are grown in China and Peru.
- The rhizomes are used in most of the cuisines of the world through Asian cuisine, the tender ones are juicy and meaty with a strong flavor. They are often pickled as an aperitif or simply added as an ingredient in many dishes.
- The mature roots are fibrous and dry. The juice from the old rhizomes is extremely pungent and is often used as a spice in Chinese cuisine to disguise other stronger aromas and flavors, such as shellfish and lamb meat.
- In Western cuisine, ginger, dried or powdered, is traditionally restricted to sweet foods; It is used to make candies, gingerbread, to flavor cookies (such as the popular gingerbread cookies) and as the main flavoring of ginger ale or ginger ale, a sweet, carbonated and non-alcoholic drink.
- In medical research, it has been proven that ginger root is an effective treatment against nausea caused by dizziness in transportation, as well as those suffered by pregnant women. It has no known teratogenic effect so it is safe in pregnancy. In other dyspepsia with nausea and mild nervous gastritis it is also useful.
- It can be used in decoction or in fluid extract. It is also used as a gastrointestinal stimulant, tonic and expectorant, among others.
- It is a powerful stimulant of the central and autonomic nervous system. It contains many antioxidants.
- Externally it is used to treat trauma and rheumatism.
Home remedies made with ginger.
Note: In some patients it can aggravate gastritis if they have been previously treated with anti-inflammatory painkillers. Use it sparingly and wisely.
Ginger for nasal congestion, colds and flu.
Mixed with lemon juice and honey, it can help free you from nasal congestion and suppress chills. For colds and flu, with two tablespoons of fresh ginger in hot water taken frequently, it helps soothe cold and pain symptoms. Inhaling ginger oil (drops or steam inhalation with water and ginger) helps clear the nasal passage.
Against flatulence.
It helps your body relieve flatulence and stomach pains and if you combine ginger with fennel and cascara sagrada or aladierno bark you can generate a powerful herbal remedy to relieve constipation.
Ginger helps digestion.
Among the benefits that we find, they tell us that it is excellent for the digestive process, since it relieves indigestion and fights the pain related to flatulence.
Other stomach disorders and indigestion.
Consumption of fresh ginger root 2 to 4 grams daily or 0.25 to 1.0 grams of powdered ginger with 1/4 teaspoon of hot/cold water or 4 to 8,500 mg. capsules or 40 to 90 drops of liquid ginger extract, helps in healing stomach and digestion-related ailments.
For a sore throat.
When you feel too much pain in your throat, if we mix ginger, dried mint and marshmallow root, we will be able to produce a powerful infusion that will help soothe a sore throat, since ginger has the goodness to relieve inflammation.
Helps against inflammation and pain.
Among the properties that ginger possesses, we find that it can help reduce the production of chemicals that cause pain in the body and if we mix chamomile and linden flower with it, we will produce a powerful infusion for headaches caused by tension.
Lubricates joints.
Ginger contains an analgesic chemical called zingibain, which helps decrease pain induced by arthritis, migraine, headaches, and muscle pain. Prepare a paste of ginger oil (2 to 4 grams) or ginger combined with massage oil can be used to relieve muscle aches. A concoction with castor root and dried ginger is consumed in the morning to lubricate the joints and relieve pain.
Ginger for nausea.
Ginger is a great home remedy for nausea, you can use it in tea, or suck it like a mint in your mouth.
Ginger and orange medicinal tea with raisins.
This is a very digestive tea, which we can drink during the day. It has a very pleasant flavor and both the orange and the ginger give it the perfect citrus touch. It is a very healthy alternative to black tea. It will keep you with intestinal wellness.
Ingredients:
1 orange; 10 raisins; 1 ginger bulb; honey or any natural sweetener, and water.
Preparation:
Bring 6 cups of water to a boil, when the water has boiled, turn off and place the sliced orange with its skin, the sliced ginger and the grapes. Let it rest for 20 minutes and then add the sugar or honey.