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Curative Properties Of Ginger

Submitted by Loring A. Windblad on February 2, 2010

Ginger Herb For Treating Various Ailments

Ginger is an herb that is yellow or whitish on the outside and has rhizomes or underground branching stems which can be tough. They soon become brown or orange as they mature and the leaves on the outside emit a pungent odor when cut or crushed. Ginger can be consumed both fresh and dry and is popular for its pungency, distinct flavor, and medicinal properties. The curative properties of ginger are derived from the volatile oil it contains, which is also responsible for its rather pungent taste.

Benefits And Curative Properties Of Ginger

Ginger is used as a curative and preventative treatment against coughs and colds. For coughs, the juice of raw ginger is extracted and added to a little honey and consumed three or four times a day.

For those suffering from a cold it can be diced finely and boiled in a cup of water. Once the mixture is strained, half a teaspoon of sugar can be added to it and then consumed. The herb is known to help with menstrual disorders and can be boiled in water, strained and sweetened with a minimum amount of sugar and had thrice a day.

Disorders of the digestive system such as flatulence, vomiting, spasms, colic, dyspepsia and other problems of the bowel can be cured to some extent by chewing a fresh piece of ginger after every meal. It is also used in traditional medicine to help stimulate the flow of bile from the gall bladder and aids in digestion. Half a teaspoon of freshly extracted ginger juice combined with one teaspoon each of lime juice, honey and mint juice is a popular remedy against nausea, dyspepsia and vomiting caused by morning sickness, jaundice, piles and the heavy consumption of fatty non-vegetarian food.

This is because it helps in the release of salivary enzymes and encourages the emptying of the stomach. It speeds up the metabolism in the human body and increases the circulation of blood through the tissues. Arthritis and ulcerative colitis are a few conditions that are known to benefit from the consumption of this herb.

Ginger also works as a painkiller and an ointment can be made by rubbing a dry piece of ginger in a little bit of water and applying it onto the patient’s forehead. Drinking freshly brewed ginger tree is known to bring the blood to the surface of the body and warm one’s hands and feet. Remember that candied ginger is not a form of ginger that possesses all these health benefits and is not a substitute for the fresh herb.