Pro-health effects of plants and herbs have been appreciated in the world for thousands of years. Currently, they also find their application in natural medicine, constantly popular and developed herbalism, being an attractive and beneficial alternative to typical pharmaceuticals. They work well in alleviating symptoms of various ailments, acting extremely effectively, but at the same time, in most cases, they do not cause any side effects. Ginger is a plant we are particularly interested in, as its medicinal properties not only make it good for your health, but also help you lose weight.

Ginger, from the Latin Zingiber officinale, is a plant found in nature in many, often different varieties. Well-known and commonly used not only in cooking but also as an ingredient of medicinal preparations, it grows in nature in Asia and Australia. It has been used since antiquity and in China as early as 2800 B.C. it has been mentioned in documents and classified among herbs with broad medicinal properties. The use of ginger root on our continent dates back to the Middle Ages and it was brought to Europe in the 14th century by Marco Polo, a famous traveler from Venice, who made his famous journey to China.

Ginger is a plant growing up to 1 meter high with large, oblong, lanceolate leaves in two rows and delicate purple flowers gathered in trusses. Its tuberous root, which forms characteristic branches, is used both medicinally and in cooking and can be used not only powdered but also raw.

Themedicinal properties of ginger, as with many other medicinal plants, are closely related to its composition, which we want to present in more detail. After all, it is thanks to it that the regular consumption of ginger, of course in recommended doses, brings with it many health benefits, while providing the weakened body with numerous nutrients. Of all that ginger root contains, worth special mention are:

It is characterized primarily by strong antioxidant properties, helping to fight free radicals, reactive oxygen species that seriously threaten health and may even become the cause of cancer. Vitamin A is a chemical compound belonging to the group of carotenoids, such as retinol or beta-carotene, and we can also encounter such names of vitamin A.

However, the most important are its properties, by which it can be confidently described as one of the most important from the point of view of the human body, and the most important functions it performs are:

Commonly known as niacin, without which there can be no efficient functioning of the immune system and the brain and peripheral nervous system. Other actions of niacin, which also gives ginger root and positive for our body, are:

Most of us associate it more as folic acid, deficiencies of which have an almost immediate negative impact on health, and are helped by ginger used in various forms. Like many other B vitamins, it also takes an active part in numerous processes in the body:

Another, after vitamin A, antioxidant “dealing” with harmful free radicals, and without it we would not be able to function properly. Ascorbic acid can be supplied in various ways, also together with ginger root, and its therapeutic properties are worth emphasizing:

Equally important and having an impact on the health effects of ginger, are valuable microelements contained in it, elements which in the vast majority our body is not able to synthesize either. However, we can not do without them, so the consumption of ginger, raw or supplements having it in the composition, provides large doses of minerals and other valuable components:

Looking at this extremely rich composition that ginger can boast of, the medicinal properties should also not raise our doubts, because they are equally wide. High in vitamins and minerals, it is effective in helping to alleviate the troublesome symptoms of many ailments, and most commonly we use ginger root for:

This is perhaps the most well-known use of ginger, influenced by its anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can be said that it works well for seasonal colds, especially those that involve the secretion of large amounts of phlegm.

Ginger, added in a dried form to hot tea with honey or lemon, facilitates expectoration, removes phlegm, soothes coughs and sore throats, acts antipyreticly, and thanks to antiseptic properties disinfects infected respiratory tract, at the same time helps to warm up the chilled organism.

Few people realize that ginger can be used as a substitute for typical painkillers. Studies have shown that it can even relieve severe menstrual pain, and this is due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It can also be used for muscle and joint pain, e.g. in the form of hot compresses, and to fight migraines.

Its advantage, in comparison to popular analgesic pills, is the safety of its use, as it does not cause such side effects as many pharmaceuticals used.

Ginger root in any form, raw, dried or as a dietary supplement, also has a beneficial effect on the heart and the entire circulatory system. Its action in this regard comes down primarily to minimizing the risk of life-threatening blood clots and congestion by reducing platelet aggregation, or viscosity.

Ginger used even prophylactically regulates and supports heart function, lowers excessively high blood pressure and the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in blood, prevents atherosclerosis and other diseases of the circulatory system.

We deal with these ailments very often and usually we immediately reach for some pills instead of alleviating their symptoms with natural methods. Here again, consumption of ginger root can help, effectively alleviating indigestion, removing flatulence, regulating gastric juice and bile secretion.

The slimming properties of ginger root have been known for many years, but before we get too enthusiastic, we should know that ginger alone will definitely not help to get rid of all excess weight or obesity. It can only aid it as an important part of a well-chosen diet, and the other pillar of successful weight loss is physical activity, outdoor exercise.

The use of ginger can help in weight reduction, which is due to its composition described above, the content of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Equally important are other substances, zingiberol and three phenolic compounds, gingerol, zinferon and shogaol. They affect the process of thermogenesis, which results in faster burning of unnecessary fat tissue, in addition to accelerating metabolism. Another slimming effect of ginger is stimulation of secretion of digestive juices and more leptin. This is the hormone responsible for the feeling of satiety, so it allows you to fully control your appetite.

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There are manyways of using ginger, depending on our personal preferences and it can be used raw or dried, also as an addition to meals and drinks. If you don’t store it in the fridge, fresh ginger will keep for a week, but by refrigerating it, you can extend its shelf life up to a month. Marinated or candied ginger root is very tasty, and ginger oil is also available for external use.

When deciding to introduce ginger to your diet, you should know that its strong effects can sometimes cause side effects. Fortunately, they are not too burdensome, but in case of overdose we have to expect:

Ginger root, unlike many other medicinal plants, can be consumed in small amounts by pregnant and breastfeeding women, although it is worth consulting a doctor beforehand. It can also interact unfavorably with some medications, mentioned for diabetes, or those that reduce blood clotting, potentiating their effects.

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