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The pungent, aromatic and sweet ginger or ginger root herb is a strong, anti-inflammatory herb. It is used abundantly in traditional Chinese and Western medicines to treat various diseases such as nausea, stomach ailments, motion sickness, and loss of appetite. Ginger is also consumed as a spice.

The goodness of ginger herb lies in its great medicinal and expectorant properties. In addition to being used a flavouring agent in most avant-garde cuisines throughout the world, the herb provides several therapeutic benefits to the human body. Some of the important uses and benefits of ginger include:

• Ginger is anti- bacterial and it decreases toxicity.
• Ginger helps to heal mild lung diseases like bronchitis, cold, cough, and some cases of respiratory tract infection.
• In Western medicine, ginger is credited with anti-oxidant, anti-coagulant, and anti- cancer qualities.
• Ginger is also characterized as an anti-inflammatory herb, which helps to decrease joint and muscle pain caused by arthritis and gout.
• Ginger possesses anti-oxidant properties, which makes it a strong anti-cancer herb.
• Ginger helps in the secretion of gastric juices and bile.
• Ginger is found to be useful in number of ailments such as allergies, atherosclerosis, bloating, anorexia, cholesterol, clots, flatulence, fatigue, sinus infection, toothache, ulcerative colitis, menstrual cramps, and sea sickness.
• Ginger essential oil is used to keep the body warm. The oil also helps improve memory.
• Ginger essential oil helps in the reduction of skin sores, carbuncles, and bruises. The essential oil has special expectorant, analgesic, laxative, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, anti-bacterial, stimulant, and tonic qualities.

Ginger Home Remedies

Ginger is widely used as a home remedy to treat many common health conditions. Some of the popular ginger home remedies are given below.

• Stomach disorders, gas and indigestion: The consumption of fresh ginger root 2 to 4 grams daily or 0.25 to 1.0 grams powdered ginger with quarter teaspoon cold/warm water or 4 to 8 500 mgs capsules or 40 to 90 drops of ginger liquid extract helps cure stomach and digestion related ailments.
• Vomiting and motion sickness: Chewing a small piece of ginger every few hours helps prevent vomiting and travel-induced motion sickness.
• Pain reduction: Ginger contains an analgesic chemical called zingibain, which helps to decrease pain induced by arthritis, migraine, headaches, and muscle pain. Ginger oil (2 to 4 grams) or ginger paste combined with massage oil can be used to relieve muscle aches. A concoction of castor root and dry ginger consumed in the morning lubricates the joints and alleviates the pain.
• Colds and the flu: Two tablespoons of fresh ginger added to hot water and consumed frequently helps sooth cold and sore throat symptoms. Inhalation of ginger oil drops or steam inhalation with ginger water helps clear nasal passage.
• Heart disease: Regular addition of ginger in the daily diet helps decrease cholesterol levels and prevents clots.
• Menstrual cramps: Ginger tea is beneficial in menstrual cramps relief and irregular periods.
• Earache: Lukewarm ginger juice infused in the ear assists to cure the ear infection.
• Ulcers: Regular take in of ginger concoction mixed with water or milk helps prevent certain ulcers.
• Respiratory diseases: Ginger root has proven expectorant properties. A ginger decoction mixed with honey helps treat asthma, bronchitis, the flu, coughs, and colds.
• Skin conditions: The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger assist in eczema relief. Consumption of ginger tea or intake of capsules helps decrease irritation on the skin.
• Diabetes: Consumption of ginger infused water in the morning may help manage glucose.

How to Grow Ginger

It is very easy to grow ginger at home. Fresh home-grown ginger can be used as an aromatic spice in the daily diet and for various home remedies. The ginger can be grown in the ground or in a pot.

The steps to grow ginger in the ground are as follows.

• Buy fresh ginger root from a local grocery store, nursery, or market.
• Soak the ginger root in warm water overnight.
• Pick moist, rich, and drained soil. Make sure that the soil is guarded from harsh winds and temperatures below 24 degrees Celsius.
• Plant the ginger chunks with the buds directed upwards.
• Water the plant lightly in the beginning, and build the flow when shoots start to grow.
• The plant will grow completely in 10 to 12 months and will mature at 2 to 4 feet in height.

The steps to grow ginger in a pot are as follows.

• Take a 14 x 12 inch pot with loose soil and augment it with abundant compost. The pot will take about 2 to 3 pieces of ginger. Pick a pot that drains well.
• Buy fresh ginger from your local grocery store, market or a nursery and soak the ginger overnight in warm water, as mentioned earlier.
• Plant the ginger beneath the surface of the soil and place the ginger pieces equidistant to each other.
• Place the pot in the shade at a temperature of 25 to 29 degree Celsius.
• Water and care for the plant as you would if it were planted in the ground.

References:

1. Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG., Ginger: An herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. RMG Biosciences, Inc.
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov