Ginger, an ingredient more powerful than you can imagine
Commonly used by different cultures as an ingredient for cuisine, ginger is also well known for its medicinal properties and benefits, having been used in Ayurveda for many years to relieve digestive problems such as nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and pain, among other conditions.
Ginger is commonly produced in India, Jamaica, Fiji, Indonesia and Australia and it can be consumed in many different forms. It has a pungent taste and it is recommended to have it before eating to improve digestion.
In India, ginger is used liberally in daily life. Ginger-spiked chai (tea) is a household favourite, and it is grandma’s antidote of choice for battling cold and flu.
Benefits of ginger
Like the other botanicals I´ve mentioned in my articles, the consumption of ingredients like ginger is associated with reducing the risk of many lifestyle-related conditions like obesity and diabetes. What’s more, it also promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and lower weight.
• Digestive issues: Certain compounds in ginger help to relieve gastrointestinal irritation suppressing gastric contractions and movement of food and liquids through the tract. Studies suggest that ginger may also be helpful in stabilising metabolism, including reducing the risk of diabetes.
• Nausea: From pregnant women to those undergoing chemotherapy, ginger can be used to relieve nausea and vomiting.
• Keeping warm: To prevent a cold or just to keep warm, ginger tea is widely used because it helps keep the body warm from within.
• Pain relief: Consuming ginger on a regular basis can help reduce pain levels and swelling in people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Ginger inhibits the activation of several genes involved in the inflammatory response.
• Alleviate anxiety: Researchers have found that ginger contains specific compounds that may bind to human serotonin receptors, which may help to alleviate anxiety.
• Inhibits growth of cancer cells: Ginger may inhibit the growth of some kinds of human cancer cells, including colorectal cancer cells.
Ginger in Ayurveda
Called “Vishabhesaj”, which Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad translates as “universal medicine”, Ayurveda gives ginger the status of a virtual medicine chest. That’s because this wonder spice has time-tested digestion-friendly properties, in addition to its numerous other health benefits.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, ginger’s heating qualities make it useful for treating Vata imbalances. For example, people with cold hands and feet can drink ginger tea or chew on fresh or candied ginger to bring heat into the system and improve circulation. Ginger is also a beneficial treatment for common vata digestive issues as it improves all three phases of gastrointestinal function (digestion, absorption, and elimination). One of the basic rules for promoting longevity and wellness in both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine is to promote good digestion. In fact, this is a tenant of health promotion in just about every traditional Asian culture.
Ginger is also known for “waking up” a congested, clogged, slowed down or weakened digestion in both the ill and the soon to be ill. Both Chinese medicine and Ayurveda speak of digestion as a process of warm transformation of gross material into fine essence. It is this fine essence of foods that is extracted in our blood streams after having been filtered by the liver after having been dissolved by our pancreatic enzymes, bile, and hydrochloric acid, after having been first masticated by the teeth and warmed and broken down by our saliva.
Not only does ginger stoke the digestive fire, it also whets the appetite, improves assimilation and transportation of nutrients to targeted body tissues, and clears the microcirculatory channels of the body. The few situations in which ginger is contraindicated are in cases of hyperacidity, during any form of haemorrhage (including menstruation), vertigo and chronic skin disease.
Ginger being one of the seven Ayurvedic botanicals contained in the Amalaki nutritional juice, I strongly recommend the use of this product on a daily basis. It is well known among all different kind of customers that have been using it regularly that improvements in digestion are remarkable among the other benefits. Amalaki’s customers feel it makes their body feel lighter and as it also makes them feel more energetic. They say their performance during the different activities of a regular day and even extracurricular activities as well is considerably impacted in a very positive way.
As a constant user of Amalaki, I can include myself in the group of people I’ve just mentioned. Through my transformation I’ve come to a point where my body is in a healthier state than a regular person and even then I continue using it because I completely understand the importance of prevention. Also as an entrepreneur I understand the close connection between a healthy mind and healthy body and for me to have a peak performance intellectually speaking, I require my body to be at the same level.
The author is the founder of Zapata and can be reached on 0451 300 539 or daniel@zapata.org.au. Zapata supports wellbeing and personal development in many parts of the world in working together, side by side, in association with the Helping Hands Foundation Australia. You can also follow them on Instagram as @Zapata.org.au and Facebook as well.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
