Useful properties, contraindications and five best recipes with ginger root

Every day more and more people are trying to use ginger, or rather its root, to solve health problems. However, as practice shows, such use is often limited to only brewing tea for colds and making a drink for weight loss.

But the scope of application of this plant is much wider. What is interesting about ginger for humans, the beneficial properties and contraindications of its root, proven recipes for the health of women, men and children, we will consider further.

Some general information

In most European countries, ginger is associated with an interestingly shaped root lying on store shelves, but in fact this plant is classified as an herbaceous plant, and entire plantations are dedicated to its cultivation. They are engaged in the cultivation of useful plants in Japan, Brazil, Argentina, China and some other countries.

Ginger, the beneficial properties of which depend primarily on environmental conditions, compliance with the rules of its cultivation and collection, is:

• Barbadian (white);
• Bengal (black).

This often confuses buyers. Friends, remember, this is the same type, it’s just different in processing. The Bengal root is washed and scalded with boiling water, so it remains in its original form and only gets rid of bacteria in this way. White ginger, or, as it is also called, Barbados ginger, is subject to more thorough processing. It is not only thoroughly washed to remove dirt and the top layer of the peel is cleaned, but also lubricated with bleach or 2% sulfuric acid.

These methods help extend the shelf life of ginger, but, unfortunately, deprive it of some of its beneficial properties, as a result of which even the taste becomes milder compared to the black version.

This is interesting! It is largely thanks to the addition of this root vegetable that Russian ginger cookies, Tula gingerbread, mead and kvass have become famous throughout the world.

The health benefits and harms of ginger

The root of the plant contains a huge amount of vitamins, nutrients, essential oils, amino acids and fats necessary for the human body. However, ginger owes its influence not only to its rich composition, but primarily to the mutual assistance and complementarity that its components can boast of.

Ginger root has:

• warming;
• sweatshops;
• antibacterial;
• anti-inflammatory;
• stimulating and other beneficial properties.

And these plant abilities are used for treatment and prevention:

• colds;
• upper respiratory tract infections;
• gastrointestinal disorders;
• pain in muscles and joints;
• obesity;
• dental diseases;
• abscesses, inflammation and skin irritations;
• parasite infestations;
• treatment of “female” and “male” diseases and much more.

Ginger for gastrointestinal diseases

The pungent taste and piquant aroma of ginger stimulate the appetite and promote the formation of gastric juice, and this is an excellent prevention of heartburn, indigestion, colic, etc. This natural medicine is irreplaceable for gastritis and ulcers.

It is impossible not to note the ability of ginger to remove everything unnecessary from the body. It is used even in cases of severe poisoning by toxins and poisons (however, this should only be done under the supervision of a doctor).

When added to food, ginger makes it easier to digest, speeds up digestion and promotes maximum absorption of nutrients, and at the same time fights dangerous bacteria, normalizes intestinal microflora, relaxes muscles, and promotes the outflow of bile.

It is important! The antibacterial effect of ginger is manifested not only in its work inside the body, but also in the disinfection of food and water that a person consumes. Even if you accidentally eat an expired product, there will be no negative reaction.

It is recommended to take ginger for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including ulcers and gastritis, in its pure form, as well as in the form of tinctures, oils and decoctions.

Note! The use of ginger should not be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, stool upset, flatulence, etc., therefore, if such symptoms appear, you should stop using it and consult a doctor.

Ginger for parasites

Have you been tested and were horrified to find out that you are a place of residence for parasites, or maybe you just know that no one is safe from infection with them and want to find the ideal means for prevention?

Ginger will help in both the first and second cases. We have already said above that it disinfects food that enters the human body, but in addition it is capable of destroying and removing from the body not only adult parasites, but also the eggs they lay.

There are several proven recipes for preventing parasites:

1. Alcohol tincture. To prepare it you will need half a liter of vodka and half a kilo of ginger root. You need to peel the root vegetable, grate it on a fine grater, put it in a hermetically sealed jar and fill it with vodka. Keep in a dark place for two weeks, shaking regularly. Take a teaspoon 1-2 times a day half an hour before meals for two weeks. Repeat two to three times a year.
2. Pickled ginger. This remedy is often prepared to season dishes, but few people know that it helps cope with parasites. It's quite simple to prepare. You need to peel half a kilo of ginger, cut into thin slices and add a tablespoon of salt. After half an hour, rinse thoroughly under running water, blot with a paper napkin, put in a jar, add a tablespoon of sugar and 50 grams of 6% vinegar (it is advisable to use rice vinegar, but you can replace it with apple vinegar).
3. Tea. To prepare it, ginger needs to be peeled and ground in a coffee grinder. Every day, 2-3 times a day, pour boiling water over a teaspoon of ginger, leave for 30 minutes, and then drink, adding a slice of lemon and a teaspoon of honey to the drink.

If the main goal is the guaranteed destruction of parasites, then even expensive pharmaceutical drugs cannot cope with them better than the following recipe. To do this, you need to mix ginger powder, cloves and cinnamon in equal parts, add a teaspoon of the resulting mixture to a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid, cool, strain and drink half an hour before meals.

Children can also use this recipe, only the amount of powder per glass of water depends on age:

• 5-6 years - ¼ teaspoon and take half a glass twice a day for three days;
• 7-9 years - ½ teaspoon and take half a glass 2-3 times a day for up to five days;
• 10-12 years - 2/3 teaspoon and take 2/3 glass 2-3 times a day for up to five days.

Flatulence, belching with an unpleasant odor, and slight nausea are allowed, but there should be no vomiting or abdominal pain.

For colds and ARVI

The warming, diaphoretic and defense-boosting properties of ginger root help provide reliable protection against viruses and seasonal infections, as well as speed up recovery and help avoid side effects.

Most often, for the treatment and prevention of colds, ginger is used in the form of tea or just a hot drink. There are several options for preparing a medicinal drug:

1. The simplest option is to add a small piece of ginger to your usual black or green tea.
2. A drink made from a teaspoon of chopped ginger, a slice of lemon and a quarter teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper is very effective. It can be taken once a day for prevention, as well as if you are very wet or cold.
3. If the disease cannot be avoided, drastic measures must be taken. To do this, grate the peeled ginger root on a fine grater or grind it in a meat grinder, put it in cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice. This juice should be diluted 1:4 with hot water and add a little honey. Take two to three times a day. This drink has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect, perfectly soothes coughs, and promotes sound sleep.

To prevent colds and infectious diseases, you can simply chew pieces of ginger. Thus, by the way, it is possible to speed up the treatment of sore throat and any other diseases associated with inflammatory processes in the oral cavity (stomatitis, etc.).

Candied ginger, or as they are also called sugared ginger, is quite popular. They have the same beneficial properties and contraindications as the natural product, but their popularity is explained by their milder taste, the ability to chew instead of candy, etc.

For pain in muscles and joints

Regular use of ginger has a positive effect on the entire body, but it is used not only internally, but also externally, and this effect is primarily manifested in the relief of muscle and joint pain.

The simplest option is to prepare a compress from a small amount of ground ginger (by the way, you don’t even need to peel it), mixed with water to form a paste. The resulting mixture is applied to the sore spot, covered with oilcloth or cellophane, and wrapped with a warm scarf or towel on top. A similar procedure helps the first time, but it doesn’t hurt to carry it out at least a couple more times daily to consolidate the result.

Those suffering from chronic rheumatism, arthrosis and arthritis can enhance the abilities of ginger with turmeric. To do this, the ingredients are mixed in equal parts and diluted with water.

Apply the resulting mixture to the affected area in a very thin layer to avoid burns. If long-term use is envisaged (in chronic cases, it is recommended to make compresses daily at night for a month, then take a 2-week break and repeat again if necessary), then it is better to avoid direct contact with the skin, but first apply a plastic bag, and then apply it on top of it. ointment.

Note! To enhance the effect, you can replace the water with vegetable oil.

Ginger baths have excellent reviews. Aching legs, hypothermia, etc. cannot resist a hot solution (1 tablespoon of powder per liter of water), and if pain is noted throughout the body, you can take a ginger bath. To do this, for 100 liters of hot water you need to prepare a decoction of half a kilo of root vegetables and a liter of water. Grind the ginger, boil for five to seven minutes, then strain and pour into the bath.

This procedure can combat the onset of a cold, and at the same time tone the skin and help get rid of excess weight.

And a few more useful things

In addition to the listed abilities of ginger, it is also used to combat:

• memory impairment;
• weakened and clogged vessels;
• atherosclerosis;
• surges in blood and intracranial pressure;
• hormonal imbalances;
• tumors and neoplasms.

It is worth remembering that in order to obtain an extremely positive result, before using ginger, it does not hurt to consult with your doctor, and this is especially true for people with chronic diseases, those suffering from pressure surges, or those who have suffered heart attacks and strokes.

How to pickle ginger at home

The process of preparing pickled root is so simple that even an inexperienced housewife can cope with this task. To obtain a soft pink color, you can avoid coloring the product exclusively with beet juice (although there is nothing wrong with this, but such a recipe is “adapted”, not real), but use red plum vinegar. Japanese chefs do without any dyes, and the taste of the dish is so piquant.

There is one secret that ensures the correct color of pickled ginger: the root must be young. The delicate and transparent skin indicates its early stage of maturity; it is this root that contains anthocyanins, which, when in contact with vinegar, give the fibers a pink color.

So, pickled pink ginger is the correct recipe:

Ingredients:

• Ginger – 300 g
• Sugar – 2 tbsp. l.
• Salt – 1 tsp.
• Vinegar – 100 ml.
• Water – 3.5 tbsp. l.

Preparation:

1. The peeled and washed root must be rubbed with salt and left for 12 hours in a closed container.
2. Then it should be rinsed under running water and the moisture removed with a paper towel.
3. It is important to cut the ginger into thin slices that are visible in the sun.
4. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil and add the slices.
5. Boil the product for 5 minutes and drain in a colander.
6. While the excess liquid is drained, you can proceed directly to the marinade.
7. Pour rice vinegar into a bowl, add sugar and water.
8. The mixture must be stirred until the sugar is completely dissolved. If you don't have rice vinegar on hand, you can use apple cider vinegar.

It is not recommended to use wine vinegar for marinade; it will give the ginger a completely different taste.

• Place the ginger in a glass jar and pour warm marinade over it.
• In this form, the container is left at room temperature for half an hour.
• And only after this the jar should be closed with a tight lid.

The pickling process will be more efficient and faster if the jar is placed in the refrigerator. You can enjoy the amazing taste of pickled ginger in 2-3 days.

Useful properties and contraindications for women

If we talk about the use of ginger by the fair sex, then first of all this applies to solving problems of excess weight, as well as to preserve beauty and youth. Let's look at the most popular and effective recipes.

1. Black or green tea habitual for daily consumption with the addition of a slice of ginger will in itself help to get rid of extra pounds by improving metabolism and removing toxins and waste from the body.
2. For effective weight loss, you can prepare a hot drink from rose hips, immortelle, nettle, dandelion roots, birch buds, ginger and mint taken in equal parts. For three liters of water, take a teaspoon of each of the listed ingredients and bring to a boil over low heat. The resulting decoction should be filtered and drunk a glass three times a day, adding a teaspoon of honey before taking and heating it a little.
3. A puree made from one stalk of celery, two medium carrots, a couple of fresh cucumbers, three apples and one 100-150 grams of ginger root has proven itself to be excellent. All ingredients need to be cleaned, washed and ground in a blender. Eat a teaspoon half an hour before meals and even before snacks. To improve the taste, you can add a little lemon and a couple of mint leaves.
4. Squeeze two cloves of garlic into a 2-liter thermos, add a small piece of ginger and pour boiling water over everything. Drink throughout the day optionally, but before meals and even snacks, it is mandatory. You can remove the unpleasant odor by chewing a little fresh parsley after drinking this drink.
5. A very tasty drink that will not only help you get rid of those annoying pounds, but also gain vigor for the whole day, as well as strengthen your immune system during the cold season, is prepared as follows: chop two small pieces of ginger root and pour in a liter of boiling water, leave to cool. At this time, squeeze the juice of one medium orange, the juice of one small lemon or lime, mix them with a pinch of cardamom. Strain the ginger infusion, mix with the remaining ingredients, add honey to taste. Take one glass in the morning before breakfast for 2 weeks. Store in the refrigerator and shake before use.

Despite popular belief, you can lose weight not only with the help of ginger drinks, but also by eating it correctly.

Salad with ginger for weight loss

Ingredients:

• small beets;
• two medium carrots;
• zest of one lemon;
• table. spoon of olive oil;
• ginger powder – ¼ teaspoon.

Grate the vegetables on a medium grater, mix with the rest of the ingredients, eat 200 grams twice a day, every other day for two weeks.

This salad, like a brush, removes all debris from the body, restores microflora, normalizes metabolism, and breaks down fat cells.

It is also worth remembering about the irreplaceable influence of ginger on a woman’s hormonal levels. Regularly adding it to food, preparing teas and aromatic drinks has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the “female” organs, regulates menstruation, eliminates pain, relieves symptoms of menopause and even helps treat infertility.

During pregnancy, it helps reduce toxicosis, get rid of weakness and dizziness. It is also a natural aphrodisiac, which helps you get more pleasure from sex and attract the attention of the opposite sex.

Note! The ability to reduce nausea makes it possible to use ginger not only for pregnant women, but also for those suffering from seasickness.

Ginger should not be used by nursing women, pregnant women with increased uterine tone, or if bleeding is possible. It is also worth remembering that the use of this healing product should not be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and weakness.

When smoking

Smokers are at increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. Since ginger improves metabolism and prevents the deposition of fat on the walls of blood vessels, it inhibits the development of this disease. It has been proven that nicotinic acid interferes with the absorption of many vitamins, micro- and macroelements, so more of them must enter the body than for a non-smoker. Spice will also help here due to its rich vitamin and mineral complex.

According to some data, organic compounds of ginger root can inhibit the development of tumor cells. Since smokers are more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than others, you should include foods and drinks with fresh or ground root in your daily diet.

Useful properties and contraindications for men

The composition of ginger is indispensable for the stronger sex. In addition to treating impotence and solving other problems associated with sexual dysfunction, it is a powerful stimulant, which allows you to solve issues of a sexual nature.

Regular use of ginger in the form of tea, as well as as a main spice in cooking, helps saturate the pelvic organs with blood, makes sexual intercourse brighter and longer, improves testosterone production and significantly prolongs “male” abilities.

However, do not forget about precautions. It just so happens that men pay much less attention to their health than women, and therefore they are more likely to experience negative side effects when taking ginger and drinks prepared on its basis.

Useful properties and contraindications for prostatitis

Prostatitis is one of the most common “male” diseases, therefore, the use of ginger for its treatment should be discussed in more detail.

Its positive effect is manifested in the destruction of staphylococci and streptococci that cause the disease, the removal of the inflammatory process, as well as the production of healthy sperm and the normalization of the functioning of the genital organs.

Alcohol tincture has proven itself best. To prepare it, you need to grind ginger root (100 g), pour half a liter of vodka into it and leave for two weeks in a dark place. Afterwards, take 15 drops three times a day, dissolved in a tablespoon of water for a month.

Taking this remedy will help not only in the treatment of prostatitis, but also in the matter of general cleansing of the body, improving the functioning of all its organs and systems, and cleansing of waste and toxins.

Freshly brewed green tea with ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder, cardamom and cinnamon added to it can help prevent this disease. This tea should become a healthy habit and be used at least three times a week.

Contraindications to the use of ginger in patients with prostatitis are individual intolerance, severe gastrointestinal diseases and problems with the cardiovascular system.

Ginger tincture with vodka or alcohol

There are a lot of recipes for treating diseases with ginger tincture in vodka, alcohol or moonshine.

To strengthen the body, with frequent acute respiratory infections

you need to prepare a vodka tincture : grate half a kilo of fresh root, put it in a jar and pour 1 liter of vodka. Leave for 14 days, shaking occasionally, then strain and squeeze well. Take this way: dilute a teaspoon of tincture in a tablespoon of warm water and drink 2 times a day before meals.

For helminthic infestation (worms)

Restoring visual acuity

For asthma

Alcohol tincture of ginger is a good treatment for asthma. You need to drink 1 teaspoon diluted in a glass of water at room temperature 2 times a day. Make the tincture in the amount of 1 kg of root per 1 liter of 96% or 70% alcohol. Leave for 15 days in the dark, shaking the jar periodically. Strain and squeeze.

For nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness

If your condition suddenly worsens (often happens with hypertensive patients), you need to have the following tincture on hand: grate a tablespoon of the root and pour in 300 ml of vodka. Leave for 10 days, strain and squeeze. During an attack of lightheadedness, add 20 drops to a glass of warm water and drink. Take 3-4 times a day. Helps quickly.

Useful properties and contraindications for children

A huge number of beneficial properties of ginger can be useful for a growing body. We are talking not only about the treatment of diseases, but primarily about prevention. Children over 2 years old can add a small piece of root to tea to prevent colds and ARVI.

In case of disturbances in the digestive system and decreased appetite, add a minimal amount of dry seasoning to the dish, and the best way to disinfect a child’s room and strengthen the immune system is to grate ginger and place it in small saucers around the room, as well as use oil (we described how to prepare it above) for an aroma lamp .

Contraindications to using the power of ginger may include age under 2 years, allergies and individual intolerance to the drug. If you can't use a root vegetable, try radish. It is also quite effective in treating colds.

Properties of ginger root

Describing the beneficial properties of ginger, we can divide them into groups according to the degree of impact on the human body. It is important to note that each person has unique reactions to certain products, combinations and conditions of their use. So, for some, ginger can become the main assistant in the prevention of colds, for others - in the process of losing weight, for others - a provocateur of exacerbation of existing diseases.

Known for centuries, due to its composition, the following properties of ginger root are distinguished.

1. Toning and restorative. Tannins, essential oils, vitamins, antioxidants, micro and macroelements improve brain function, stimulate blood circulation, normalize the transmission of nerve impulses, and give strength. In the East, it is customary to use green tea with ginger and lemon as a vitality-enhancing remedy.
2. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial. Essential oils, natural antibiotics and antifungal components in combination with vitamins relieve local inflammatory processes, reduce fungal colonies and the number of pathogens.
3. Antiparasitic. In fresh or dried form, the spice can remove parasites such as Giardia and worms.
4. Antioxidant. Due to the high content of powerful antioxidants - flavonoids, vitamins A and E. It is expressed in the fight against neoplasms and cell aging.

Ginger root has metabolism-stimulating properties. It improves digestion, promotes the production of enzymes and gastric juice, and participates in lipid metabolism. For many, it stimulates the appetite.

The greatest benefit lies in the fresh young root of this year's harvest, which is identified by its light flesh, thin skin and lack of hard fibers inside.

Spice in any form is considered a potency-improving agent. This applies to both men and women. In ancient times, various potions and tinctures were prepared using the root to treat impotence in men and infertility in women.

The ability to combat nausea and vomiting makes ginger a useful remedy for toxicosis in pregnant women and seasickness for travelers. The bactericidal properties of the root help with indigestion, diarrhea, and poisoning.

What is the reason for such versatile capabilities of oriental spices? This is its composition. It identifies the following most significant and studied components:

Ginger, lemon, honey and garlic for cleaning blood vessels

• Gingerol is the main organic compound that gives ginger its characteristic bitter and pungent taste. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, metabolism activator, fat burner, antioxidant, analgesic and antispasmodic component;
• vitamins A, E. – antioxidants that improve cell renewal and preserve youthful skin;
• B vitamins – beneficial for the nervous system;
• micro and macroelements (potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, phosphorus, germanium, etc.);
• alimentary fiber;
• essential amino acids;
• fatty acid;
• essential oils.

All of these components are present in the root in sufficient quantities, so you should not consume a lot of ginger. A few slices a day are enough to replenish vitamin deficiencies, cheer up, and contribute to strengthening the immune system and preventing colds.

Combining Ginger with Other Medicines

We have talked a lot about the benefits of ginger and its use for the prevention and treatment of many diseases, but whether this use will have a positive or negative result depends not only on the person, his compliance with the rules for taking it, the individual characteristics of the body, but also on the drugs that are used parallel.

This applies not only to ginger, but also to many other natural medicines, for example, camelina oil also does not really like to “cooperate” with pharmaceutical drugs.

Thus, it is strictly forbidden to use ginger with drugs that lower blood pressure, stimulate the heart, affect blood vessels and immunomodulators. Such a tandem can cause not only unwanted side effects, but also lead to death.

Ginger for diabetes

In the article, we have already repeatedly mentioned the need to use ginger with caution for your health in order to get only a positive result and not become a victim of side effects, and you should be most careful if you are a diabetic patient.

This root vegetable can be used for the treatment and prevention of various health problems only for those diabetics who do not take medications that lower blood sugar levels. This combination can cause excessive blood thinning and lead to tragic consequences.

Ginger and preparations made from it are among the most effective in terms of preventing and treating many diseases, and also the easiest to prepare at home. Use the power of nature wisely and stay healthy.

Compound

100 grams of ginger contain 9.2 g of protein, 5.9 g of fat and 70.9 g of carbohydrates and 5.9 g of fiber. Ginger root consists of the following elements:

It also contains vitamins B, C and A.

The rhizome also contains cineole, citral, borneol, capsaicin, beta-carotene, curcumin, zingiberene (zingiberene), starch, gingerol, camphene, linalool, gingerin, phellandrene, bisabolene, borneol, citral.