Ginger emerges as a standout choice in time-tested home remedies for overall well-being. This easily accessible spice, characterized by its robust and pungent flavor, has the potential to contribute significantly to our health, skin, and hair, making it a versatile and beneficial addition to our daily routines.
Why is Ginger so unique?
Originating in Southeast Asia, ginger is a remarkable spice with a rich history in traditional medicines like Ayurveda, owing to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger in your daily diet can enhance overall health, encourage hair growth, and maintain skin collagen levels. With such valuable benefits, it’s clear that making ginger a dietary staple can be a wise and health-conscious choice. Let’s delve into the wonders of ginger and uncover the truth behind its numerous advantages.
Health Benefits Of Ginger
Being a potent therapeutic ingredient, ginger has been widely used as a natural medicine. It not only cures several ailments effectively but also prevents them from relapsing. Here are the health benefits one can enjoy by including ginger in one regular diet:
- Ginger has good antihistamine properties, making it a good remedy for colds, coughs, sore throats, congested noses, flu, asthma, and other respiratory system-related problems. It restrains the contraction of the respiratory tract and stimulates mucus secretion to relieve us from allergies. (1)
- Ginger root is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent that keeps the sensation of nausea away. Studies have proved that it can treat seasickness, morning sickness in pregnant women, and chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients as powerfully as vitamin 6. (2)
- Ginger can be your savior if you suffer from chronic digestion issues or heartburn. It makes protein breakdown faster, improves food absorption by boosting enzyme secretion, facilitates the assimilation of vital nutrients in cells, and increases mucus secretion for averting ulcers. The carminative qualities of the ingredient make it a great anti-flatulence agent, which helps treat problems like indigestion, upset stomach, bloating, etc. Last but not least, ginger also stimulates appetite by perking up the flow of digestive juices. (3)
- Daily consumption of ginger can help us manage our blood glucose levels efficiently. It is also known to decrease the chance of diabetic nephropathy (severe damage of the kidney due to diabetes) considerably. (4)
- Several pieces of research have concluded that incorporating ginger into a daily diet can inhibit the procedure of brain cell loss. It also plays a crucial role in protecting and preserving brain cells, eventually preventing Alzheimer’s Disease. (5)
- Your weight loss journey can be safe and smooth with the help of ginger roots. It is an excellent natural fat burner and helps our body eliminate even the most stubborn fat deposits. It also keeps us awake for a long time so that we do not overeat or become overweight.
- Ginger is considered one of the best solutions for strengthening our immune system naturally. It enhances our immunity so that our body does not become prone to developing infections or other diseases frequently.
- Ginger-infused tea is a go-to medicine for many women during their menstrual cycles. It can reduce menstrual cramps and provide relief from acute pain.
- The intense pain of a migraine can be treated naturally and effectively with ginger root. According to scientists, it slows down the functions of prostaglandins in our body, which reduces inflammation of blood vessels, thereby alleviating pain to a greater extent. (6)
- Being loaded with antioxidants, ginger can stop ovarian and colon cancer if used during early stages. It mainly causes apoptosis or autophagy, in which the enzymes destroy or digest the cancer cells, thereby curing the ailment. (7)
- Ginger is touted for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic qualities, which help treat joint pain and swelling. It eases the symptoms and eliminates the need to use painkillers in cases of severe rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, etc. (8)
Skin Benefits Of Ginger
Gingerbread is used to treat health issues and several skin issues. Read on below to know more about why it should be included in your skincare routine:
- Protect your skin from aging by consuming ginger regularly. (9) It holds over 40 antioxidants, which fight off damaging free radicals and remove toxic materials from our bodies. It promotes blood circulation in cells to increase oxygen and nutrient supply and shield against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays to maintain skin elasticity. All these help reduce dullness, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, etc., thereby preserving the firmness and youthfulness of our skin.
- Forget commercial skin toners, as ginger can serve your purpose even better. It has astringent properties that aid skin toning, giving us a firm, nourished, and glowing appearance.
- The topical application of ginger can soothe and heal skin burns fast. So whether you are suffering from sunburn, blister, or any other abrasion, using ginger will give you immediate results.
- Ginger’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties can keep our skin clean and breakout-free by warding off acne-causing bacteria.
- Ginger makes treatment of hypopigmented (white) scars accessible by gradually restoring the natural pigmentation of the affected part of the skin.
Also Read – Know about Hypopigmented Scars and Their Treatment with Ginger
Hair Benefits Of Ginger
Replace your expensive hair care products with simple natural ginger oil, as it can improve your hair health to a large extent. We’ve got you covered here:
- Massage your scalp with ginger-infused herbal oil to promote blood circulation and stimulate the hair follicles to encourage the growth of hair fibers. It. It also shows promising results as a natural hair loss treatment for the same reason.
- Ginger can make dry and brittle hair stronger, silkier, and shinier while nourishing and conditioning the strands from the inside.
- The issue of a dry, flaky scalp can be entirely resolved with the help of ginger. In addition, the antiseptic properties of the spice can avert infections and make the scalp healthy for better hair growth.
Summary:
The multifaceted health benefits of ginger make it a wonder spice. Be it indigestion or providing relief from stress, cold, cough, sore throat, congested nose, flu, or asthma, ginger is loaded with all the good constituents. Moreover, its anti-aging properties can inhibit the signs of aging effectively. Topical application of ginger oil can perhaps improve hair health to a large extent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is ginger good for your face?
Ginger is anti-aging and can be applied as a face fack when mixed with other ingredients like honey, lemon, etc. However, it is recommended to do a patch test before applying ginger to your face.
Can you apply ginger directly to the skin?
Yes, you can; however, a diluted version is much preferred to avoid any side effects on your skin.
Does ginger lighten skin?
Yes, diluted ginger juice can be directly applied to lighten acne scars. This is because its main compound, antioxidant gingerol, promotes even skin tone.
Is ginger good for hair growth?
Ginger oil is considered suitable for hair growth. So, if you are having problems with dry, brittle hair or a flaky scalp, embrace ginger oil in your beauty regimen.
References:
- “How ginger can help with a cold” – medicalnewstoday.com
- “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Ginger components as new leads for the design and development of novel multi-targeted anti-Alzheimer’s drugs: a computational investigation” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Ginger Capsules for the Acute Treatment of Migraine Attacks” -clinicaltrials.gov
- “The Inhibitory Effect of Ginger Extract on Ovarian Cancer Cell Line; Application of Systems Biology” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Ginger for Arthritis: Should I Give It a Try?” – healthline.com
- “Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the Prevention of Ageing and Degenerative Diseases: Review of Current Evidence” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
