Ginger is a tropical perennial plant with a tuberous rhizome, widely growing in the territories of Japan, Central America, India and China.
Since time immemorial, it has been used as a seasoning and medicine. In Europe, this healing spice was brought from China more than 100 years ago. Today, ginger is grown at home and in the country in the greenhouse.
In the article we will consider ginger root: benefit and harm, useful properties and contraindications. Also consider how it is useful and the use of ginger root in medicine and cosmetology.
Plant benefits
More has been known about the healing properties and benefits of ginger. 2.5 thousand years ago. The first mentions are found in the writings of the holy Quran and in the Arabic stories of the Book of a thousand and one nights.
Useful properties and treatment
Possessing a number of useful properties, ginger root is used as a therapeutic agent for many diseases, as well as for preventive purposes. So what is ginger good for?
- Ginger contains nutrients strengthening walls of blood vessels and normalizing blood circulation (especially cerebral). It clears the circulatory system from atherosclerotic plaques and serves as a preventive measure for atherosclerosis. It is useful for venous insufficiency and varicose veins of the lower extremities, since dilutes the blood, and does not allow it to quickly coagulate.
- Spice use strengthens the nervous system. Useful substances help to cope with depression, feelings and anxiety, relieve headaches. It is known that Chinese wrestlers used seasoning to restore physical strength.
- Seasoning useful for the digestive system. If you add it during cooking, the food will be better digested and absorbed by the body due to good production of gastric juice. Nutritionists sometimes include it in a menu designed for overweight people, slower metabolism (unless contraindicated).
- Good effect on urogenital system. Men can be used as a natural strong aphrodisiac. Women use it as an anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the kidneys and bladder, and during the menstrual cycle to relieve pain and spasms of the uterus.
- Ginger is useful for immunity strengthening. During cold and flu it acts as a diaphoretic, bactericidal, antibacterial agent. It copes well with coughing, stimulating expectoration. By the way, thanks to these properties, it is recommended for people with bronchial asthma.
Chemical composition and medicinal substances of the root
The composition of the plant includes a number of vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain beauty and health: caprylic acid, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chrome and others.
Only 100 grams of the product contains up to 180-200 mg of magnesium, 116-120 mg of calcium, 5-6 mg of vitamin B3, 148 mg of phosphorus, and this is only a small part of useful substances!
Attention! By the way, we feel the unique tart flavor of the root because it contains up to 3% of essential oil.
In the Chinese province, it is widespread and is produced for industrial purposes and free sale. The composition of the oil includes: citral, fat, gingerin, camphene, linalool, phellandrene, bisabolic, starch and other substances.
It is especially rich zingiberenone (up to 75% of the total composition), thanks to which the spice has become so fragrant, and the burning taste is achieved due to the high content gingerol.
Medicinal properties and application in traditional medicine
Ginger is the main ingredient for cooking a variety of wellness facilities. Almost all the recipes were invented by people in the old days and were included in the number of folk remedies tested by generations.
Let's get acquainted with the famous recipes:
- During colds It is good to take ginger tea made from fresh ginger root (pre-grated), a slice of lemon and a teaspoon of linden honey. Fragrant drink will give strength and quickly put on his feet.
- For the treatment of ginger arthritis and arthrosis Special compresses can be applied to problem areas, made from 2 teaspoons of crushed ginger, half a spoonful of ground hot pepper, turmeric and a little sesame oil. Compress warms well, relieves pain. Before use, it is heated in a water bath and applied warm.
- In Russia, treated cough natural sweets made from a glass of honey and 1 tsp of fresh root. Components were placed in a container and set on fire. When the mixture was heated and turned into a homogeneous mass, it was removed from the heat, cooled and sculpted into small oval candies. If you take them regularly, in just a few days you can get rid of tired cough.
- During sore throats useful gargles with a decoction of spicy powder and 200 ml of water. You can alternate with a rinse of decoction of chamomile.
- AT dietetics useful ordinary ginger tea. It is better to brew it from large green tea leaves and pieces of fresh root. It has amazing properties to normalize digestion, detoxify, lower cholesterol, break down fats, remove excess water and speed up the metabolism. The most popular slimming tea prepared from the juice of 2 lemons, 300 ml of boiling water, 2 teaspoons of honey and grated ginger. The drink is brought to a boil and consumed hot.
Cosmetology and healing properties
The plant has a positive effect on the health of the hair, the skin condition of the face and body.
- To get rid of acne You can use a lotion made at home from ginger juice with water. The skin will become clean, smooth and elastic.
- For wound healing, abrasions, small sores can be applied cotton wool soaked in fresh juice or gruel. Compress restores the skin, disinfects, prevents the spread of bacteria and infection.
- To impart skin elasticity use lotion from plant juice and pomegranate. It refreshes remarkably, tones, smoothes fine lines, removes signs of fatigue on the face.
- Restore dry, damaged, brittle hair will help a special mask of ground spices, honey and yolk downed. The resulting gruel is impregnated with hair, wraps the head with foil, wrapped in a towel and left for 20-30 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
- For facial rejuvenation You can apply a mask of a quarter cup of mint, a glass of spinach, 2 tablespoons of honey, mashed banana and shredded ginger root. Mask hold up to 15-20 minutes, wash off with warm water.
Harm when applied
Despite the fact that the plant has unique healing properties, its use in medicine and cosmetology is not suitable for all people. Sometimes eat ginger root - harm. Is ginger harmful?
Contraindications and side effects
Important! Be sure to pay attention to them to avoid unpleasant consequences. Experts recommend not to get involved in folk medicine on their own and to consult a doctor before starting the use of various means.
- Spice categorically does not suit people suffering acute and chronic diseases of the stomach and duodenum. These include: ulcers, gastritis (especially with increased acidity), colitis, inflammation of the duodenum (duodenitis). Consumption of spices will not be beneficial, but will only aggravate the state of health.
- Use with caution in diseases liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis). Although ginger is useful during biliary dyskinesia and has a choleretic effect, it is forbidden to use it during inflammatory processes. In addition, it is prohibited to use people with gallstones.
- Not recommended for people with anal fissures and hemorrhoids. Ginger provokes bleeding, aggravates the disease.
- Not recommended pregnant women in the third trimeter, during toxicosis, as well as all women who have had miscarriages before.
- You can not take the means inside on the basis of ginger for the nightbecause they provoke insomnia.
- In some people, frequent seasoning leads to increase blood pressure. Hypertensives must pay attention to this.
Allergy
Not so rare. Before use, make sure that the body reacts normally to it and there are no side effects.
Symptoms
Main symptoms of ginger allergy:
- Nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing;
- swelling of the face or redness;
- inflammation of the throat, itching in the mouth, swelling of the tongue;
- skin rash (urticaria), pruritus, dermatitis;
- flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;
- quinck edema.
Attention! At the first sign of allergy, it is recommended to take antihistamines and stop using ginger. In severe situations, consult a doctor, especially for swelling of the face and feeling short of breath. Quinck edema is a very dangerous condition that often causes choking. Immediate ambulance required.
In the video, doctors tell the beneficial properties and contraindications of ginger root:
//youtu.be/EYFH0FpBfIg
Ginger from time immemorial is excellent healing means. It contains a number of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to strengthen and maintain good health.
It is widely used in traditional medicine, cooking, cosmetology. Means based on this plant have been tested by any generation.
But, like any product, sometimes this spice causes allergyand some people to the force contraindications Ginger is not recommended at all.
Be sure to consult with a specialist before using it, do not get carried away with self-medication, so as not to harm the body. Be healthy!