Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant native to Asia. The ginger spice comes from the roots of the plant. It's used as a food flavoring and medicine.
Ginger contains chemicals that might reduce nausea and swelling. These chemicals seem to work in the stomach and intestines, but they might also help the brain and nervous system to control nausea.
People commonly use ginger for many types of nausea and vomiting. It's also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine headaches, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Uses:
Possibly Effective for :-
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea): Taking ginger by mouth during the first 3-4 days of a menstrual cycle somewhat reduces painful menstrual periods. It seems to work about as well as some pain medications, like ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, or Novafen. Taking ginger along with medicines such as mefenamic acid also seems to be helpful.
Osteoarthritis: Taking ginger by mouth can slightly reduce pain in some people with osteoarthritis. You can take turmeric powder, dry ginger powder and fenugreek powder(haldi+methi+sonth) in milk/water , once a day But applying ginger gel or oil to the knee doesn't seem to help.
Morning sickness: Taking ginger by mouth seems to reduce nausea and vomiting in some people during pregnancy. But it might work slower or not as well as some drugs used for nausea.
Fever and cold: Taking ginger juice with a few spoons of honey can be really effective during colds and fever. You can also add ginger in the tea. Dry ginger ( suntha + gud/gul) and jaggery also helps during cold, it has very effective results ( must try)
Taking a small amount of ginger before any meal can increase your appetite and if you take it after your meal, it helps in digestion.
For weight loss: Ginger water does not directly affect the metabolism, or burn any fat or calories in the body. however drinking ginger water instead of sugary beverages is very beneficial, ginger water contains nearly zero calories, and helps with hydration which seems to be a great combination if you don't want to put on weight. Drink it daily in the morning, you will feel fresh and energetic.
Cholesterol: Ginger is potent enough to reduce cholesterol, which means your chances of getting a heart regarding diseases might get reduced. Ginger specifically targets bad cholesterol, which is lipid plaque that blocks blood flow in arteries. Drinking ginger water daily reduces the risk of cholesterol related diseases. (please visit the cardiovascular system section to know more about cholesterol).
For cough and asthma :Since ancient times juice of fresh ginger+juice of fresh garlic and a tablespoon of honey helps in reducing asthmatic cough and cough caused due to bacteria. since ginger has antimicrobial properties.
Possibly Ineffective for :-
Muscle soreness caused by exercise: Taking ginger by mouth doesn't reduce or prevent muscle pain from exercise.
Motion sickness: Taking ginger by mouth up to 4 hours before travel doesn't prevent motion sickness.
Side Effects:
When taken by mouth: Ginger is likely safe. It can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Taking higher doses of 5 grams daily increases the risk for side effects.
When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term. It might cause skin irritation for some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Ginger is likely safe when eaten in foods. It is possibly safe when taken by mouth as medicine during pregnancy. It might increase the risk of bleeding, so some experts advise against using it close to the delivery date. But it appears to be safe to use for morning sickness without harm to the baby. Talk to your healthcare provider before using ginger during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding: Ginger is likely safe when eaten in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking larger amounts of ginger is safe when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Ginger is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 4 days by teenagers around the start of their period.
Bleeding disorders: Taking ginger might increase your risk of bleeding.
Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions.
Surgery: Ginger might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using ginger at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Dose:
Ginger is commonly consumed in foods and as a flavoring in drinks. As medicine, ginger is available in many forms, including teas, syrups, capsules, and liquid extracts. Ginger has most often been used by adults in doses of 0.5-3 grams by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Ginger is also available in topical gels, ointments, and aromatherapy essential oils. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Risks & Warnings:
When taken in small doses, there are few side effects associated with the use of ginger. Minor side effects may include gas or bloating.
If you have an inflammatory condition such as acid reflux, taking more than four grams of ginger in a 24-hour period may cause additional heartburn.
Side effects are generally associated with powdered ginger.
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