Benefits of ginger
The most valuable thing for the body is the root of the plant. Moreover, if you want to use it for medicinal purposes, you must use fresh rhizomes. But for culinary purposes, they take dried ginger. Impact on the body:
- For those who suffer from seasickness, it will help relieve nausea. To do this, just chew a piece of the root.
- Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and also speeds up metabolism, which is very useful for those who want to lose weight.
- Strengthens gums and teeth if applied in the form of a paste.
- Reduces blood pressure and helps strengthen the heart muscle.
- Helps in the treatment of acne and generally improves skin quality.
- Relieves flatulence, bloating and colic.
- As an essential oil, it has a positive effect on depression and mental disorders.
Ginger root: chemical composition, healing properties, effectiveness in treating gastrointestinal diseases
Ginger root contains a large number of useful vitamin and mineral components, the main ones of which are the following:
- vitamins : A, C, D, E, H, K, PP, group B (including B2, B5, B6, B9, B12);
- omega-3 and omega-6 amino acids
- fatty acids : linoleic, caprylic, oleic;
- mineral compounds : calcium, chromium, magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese, sodium, phosphorus, silicon, aluminum.
In addition, this product contains essential oils, dietary fiber and a very useful substance asparagine, which is a component of a large number of proteins, in particular those involved in regulating the performance of the human central nervous system.
The special smell of ginger root is given by the substance zingiberene, and the unusual bitter taste of the plant is due to gingerol, a resinous substance with a very wide range of medicinal effects.
Given the rich chemical composition of the plant, it is not surprising that the root has a huge number of medicinal properties, many of which are relevant in the treatment of stomach and intestinal problems.
- The list of the most noticeable impacts includes the following:
- antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial;
- antiseptic and bactericidal;
- mild laxative, choleretic and carminative;
- anthelmintic;
- antitoxic (especially important for food poisoning);
- antispasmodic;
- salivary (with a significant content of digestive enzyme in saliva).
In addition, ginger root perfectly stimulates blood circulation, removes excess cholesterol from the body, improves the tone of the heart muscle, excites and tones , which makes it a very effective medicine not only for gastrointestinal disorders, but also for diseases of the liver, heart and even sexual disorders , not to mention improving the condition of the skin, which is especially important in the cosmetology field.
Important! The presence of an increased amount of harmful substances (in particular in the stomach) can be determined by a characteristic feeling of heaviness in the stomach, increased fatigue, lack of appetite and the appearance of bad breath.
The effectiveness of treating digestive problems with the help of the mentioned root will depend on the type and stage of the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of the human body: not everyone can safely consume the plant.
Useful properties for women
In addition to the general benefits of ginger for the human body, it also has certain properties that will be very useful specifically for the female sex. In addition to the fact that this plant helps in weight loss and removal of toxins from the body, it also relieves pain during menstruation. Also, in ancient times, ginger root was used as a medicinal drug for infertility, as it has a positive effect on the female organs. Interestingly, it helps women even after they become pregnant, since it relieves nausea during toxicosis. However, this is only relevant for the first trimester, after which ginger can be dangerous for the mother and her child, as it lowers blood pressure. The benefits of ginger root for the human body do not end there. It is also an excellent aphrodisiac that increases sexual desire. This happens due to the fact that more blood flows to the pelvic organs.
harm and benefits of ginger for humans
Beneficial properties for men
Ginger root is also very beneficial for men. It’s not for nothing that in Chinese this plant sounds the same as the word “masculinity.” So those representatives of the stronger sex who add it to their diet receive a positive complex effect on their entire immune system. Enlightened men, especially in China, use this spice as an aphrodisiac. Due to the presence of essential oils and lysine in the composition, potency increases, and muscle tone generally improves. This is achieved by increasing blood circulation. It is worth mentioning the anti-inflammatory properties of the root, which in this case reduce the risk of developing prostatitis, and, as in the case of women, treats infertility.
The best recipes with ginger
Ginger tea
A good cup of ginger root tea is the perfect remedy for nausea or a long, stressful day. While you can certainly find dried ginger tea bags in most grocery stores, there's nothing quite like fresh ginger tea for aiding digestion.
Ingredients:
- Ginger
- Lemon/lime/honey
- Water
Preparation:
- Wash the fresh ginger root head and cut it into very thin slices.
- Add the ginger slices to the hot water and boil for 10-30 minutes, depending on how strong you want it to be.
- Remove from heat, strain and discard the ginger pieces and add your choice of lemon, raw honey or lime juice to enhance the flavour.
- You can enjoy this drink hot or cold depending on your personal preference.
Benefits of ginger tea include relaxing the body, calming the stomach, and relieving nausea. Drink one to three cups daily to maximize health benefits.
Depending on what you are consuming fresh ginger tea for, you can enhance its benefits by adding other additional ingredients that will support detoxification and your immune system.
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A few “synergistic” ingredients that make great additions to fresh ginger tea
:
- Turmeric
— Contains an active compound called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. May help improve digestive processes and is also considered a warming spice that supports your metabolism.
- Lemon juice
- Helps trick the liver into producing bile, which helps keep food moving through the gastrointestinal tract. May also help reduce stomach upset and bloating.
- Raw honey
- It is a nutritious, natural sweetener that provides enzymes and antioxidants that have been shown in research to support immune function.
- Cayenne pepper
- Contains a chemical called capsaicin, which has the ability to stimulate blood circulation and support digestion. It may help stimulate the release of enzymes that can help relieve indigestion and loss of appetite.
Ginger juice
Another easy way to get your daily dose of ginger is to juice it. You can easily do this either using a juicer or peeling and grating the ginger and then using cheesecloth to squeeze out the juice.
You can drink a ginger shot or mix it with other vegetable juices for a boost of extra nutrients. By making, for example, orange ginger-carrot juice.
Ginger juice is also a staple ingredient in many Asian cuisines and can be added to classic dishes. Try experimenting with your favorite marinades by adding a little ginger juice to further enhance the flavor.
Orange ginger carrot juice
Ingredients:
- 6 carrots
- 1 orange
- 1 ginger
- 1 cucumber
Preparation:
Add all ingredients to a vegetable juicer. Gently stir the juice and drink immediately.
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Spicy pumpkin soup
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin
- Carrot
- Onion
- Ginger
- Coconut cream
Preparation:
- Bake pumpkin (sweet variety) in the oven.
- Stew carrots, onions, ginger in a frying pan.
- Beat everything in a blender with coconut cream.
Gluten Free Ginger Lemon Scones
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tbsp. l. lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp. l. honey
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix almond flour, salt and baking soda together, then add lemon zest, ginger, egg and honey.
- Roll the dough into a ball and place it on parchment paper.
- Flatten the dough ball into a large circle and cut the dough into triangles.
- Place on a baking sheet and separate the buns from each other.
- Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the outsides of the buns are lightly browned.
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Cilantro and ginger smoothie
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cilantro
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- Juice of one lime
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 4 dried figs
- 100g sheep or coconut yoghurt
Preparation:
- Add all ingredients to blender.
- Beat until smooth.
- Drink it right away.
Stewed cauliflower with ginger
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower ½ head
- Spinach 300 grams
- 1 tomato
- 1 chili pepper
- 4 cloves garlic
- Onions 1 pc.
- Fresh ginger 5 cm
- Curry 1-2 tbsp.
- Parmesan cheese to taste (if you are not allergic to cow's milk protein)
- Coconut oil
Preparation:
- Melt coconut oil in a saucepan, add onion and sauté for a few minutes. Then add chopped garlic and ginger, chopped pepper and curry into rings, simmer for 1-2 minutes (add a little water if necessary).
- In a separate pan with lightly salted water, boil the cauliflower, disassembled into florets. Cook until half cooked (al dente).
- Add spinach to the onion mixture, simmer for 5-7 minutes, then add cauliflower. Add salt to taste and mix thoroughly. Let the mixture simmer for a few more minutes.
- Serve sprinkled with Parmesan and fresh herbs.
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Fermented Cauliflower
Ingredients:
- cauliflower
- apple
- ginger
- carrot
- garlic
- hot red pepper
- turmeric
Preparation:
- Finely chop the cauliflower (into slices and inflorescences).
- Apple, ginger, carrots, garlic - cut into strips.
- Hot red pepper – 1 piece – finely chopped.
- Turmeric – 3 tbsp. (salt 1 tbsp per 3 liter jar).
- Mix the chopped ingredients.
- Fold into 3l. jar to ⅔.
- Fill with water up to the shoulders.
- Close the lid tightly.
- Place in a warm and dark place for 3 days (release gases).
- In the evening of the 3rd day - in the refrigerator.
Pumpkin cream soup with coconut milk and ginger
Ingredients:
- 600–700 g pumpkin
- 12–16 large peeled raw shrimp
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 4 cm fresh ginger root
- 2 large onions
- 3 cloves garlic
- Coconut oil
- 0.5 tsp. curry powder
- Salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Cilantro leaves for serving
Preparation:
- Cut the pumpkin into cubes and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pumpkin pieces can be lightly sprinkled with coconut oil melted in a water bath and baked for 20-25 minutes (depending on the type of pumpkin) at 200C until soft.
- Peel the ginger and garlic and finely chop or grate. Cut the onion into pieces.
- Place coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and place over moderate heat. When the butter is melted, add the onion and saute until soft, then add half the garlic and ginger mixture, sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Then add the curry and mix everything thoroughly for 30 seconds.
- Pour the resulting mixture with 1 liter of cold water and bring to a boil.
- Add the baked pumpkin to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes.
- At the same time, heat the coconut oil in a frying pan, add the shrimp and the remaining garlic and ginger mixture. Salt and pepper the shrimp, lightly fry on both sides.
- Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth, add coconut milk and bring to a boil.
- Serve with shrimp and finely chopped cilantro.
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Light vegetable soup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups crushed yellow pepper
- 5-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2.5 cm piece of ginger, grate 2 large zucchini
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 3 cups spinach
Preparation:
- Stew the vegetables. Pour coconut oil into a heated pan. Add chopped onion and yellow pepper.
- Simmer until the vegetables become soft.
- Add garlic and ginger and simmer for another 1 minute until pleasantly fragrant. Add zucchini and simmer for another 3-5 minutes.
- Add broth. When the vegetables have softened, pour in the broth and heat the soup.
- Add spinach to hot broth.
- Let the soup soak and serve.
Carrot-chickpea balls with ginger and cinnamon
Ingredients:
- 1 grated zucchini
- 2/3 tbsp. grated carrots
- 3 cloves garlic
- Small piece of ginger
- 1 green chili to taste
- 1.5 tbsp. boiled chickpeas (soak overnight before cooking)
- 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds, coriander, ground pepper
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, ground cardamom
- Himalayan salt to taste
- 1 tbsp. flaxseed flour
- 1/4 tbsp. oatmeal
- Ghee butter
Preparation:
- Grate the zucchini and squeeze out excess water with your hands.
- Grind carrots, ginger, garlic and chili in a blender or grater and add to a bowl.
- Mash the chickpeas to a puree consistency and add to the zucchini.
- Prepare spices: grind cumin, coriander and black pepper. In a small frying pan, heat 1/2 tsp. ghee butter Add crushed spices and fry until a pronounced aroma appears.
- Add all the spices to a common bowl, mix the contents thoroughly.
- Make cutlets, bake in the oven preheated to 200C for 20-25 minutes.
Harm of ginger and contraindications
Even the healthiest products may have contraindications. Ginger was no exception, the properties of which can be dangerous for some people. First of all, those who have problems with the cardiovascular system should be careful with it. If you are hypertensive, then doctors advise you to refrain from actively using ginger root, since it thins the blood, and this, in combination with antihypertensive drugs, can lead to a sharp decrease in blood pressure. People who have suffered a stroke, heart attack or have coronary heart disease should not get carried away with ginger.
harm and contraindications of ginger
As for gastrointestinal diseases, some substances in ginger can have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa. Thus, if you have gastritis, ulcers and similar diseases, then it would be best to completely stop using ginger. It is also contraindicated in cases where there are injuries or diseases of the oral mucosa. The root can cause allergic reactions, and therefore should not be given to children under 2 years of age. But even after reaching this age you should be careful. If you experience nausea, diarrhea or vomiting after consuming ginger, you have most likely overdosed, so immediately remove the root from your diet and it is best to seek help from a doctor.
Rules for preparation, brewing and consumption
Making ginger drinks is not as simple a task as it might seem at first glance. In order for the finished infusion or tea to bring maximum benefits, it is worth knowing about the important rules for preparing the drug, many of which have been passed down from generation to generation. The list of main recommendations includes the following:
- To obtain a highly concentrated composition of the finished drink, you will have to boil the ginger root for at least 15 minutes , and always over low heat, which guarantees the safety of volatile substances. At the end of the cooking process, remove the mixture from the heat and cool to 37°C.
- Lemon and honey should only be added to a slightly cooled drink , otherwise the benefits of these ingredients will be minimal.
- The easiest way to brew tea is in a thermos . To do this, the ginger root, cut into pieces, is poured with boiling water and infused in a closed vessel for at least two hours, and then consumed during the day, 100–150 ml at a time. The advantage of this method is the ability to use tea regardless of meals, and the only condition at the drinking preparation stage is the use of one medium root per 2 liters of water. For taste, you can add honey or honey syrup.
- When using dry ginger root powder, it is best to prepare a healing decoction in a water bath , using a porcelain vessel with a capacity of 0.5 liters. For such a volume, 2 tbsp is enough. spoons of powder, which after straining the decoction can be used as regular tea leaves. The resulting liquid is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3.
- Do not use the finished product for more than one day . Ideally, for each new appointment, you should prepare a new portion of ginger tea.
Ginger root requires a responsible attitude towards the process of its preparation and further use, otherwise side effects may occur, the main of which are considered to be all kinds of allergic reactions and deterioration in general well-being in the presence of health problems