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Ginger has a long history of use as a sea sickness remedy, made effective by the organic compounds called phenols.
Ginger ale or ginger tea is often used by patients undergoing chemotherapy as well as pregnant women experiencing morning sickness because it eases nausea.
Ginger has been shown as an effective way to reduce exercise-induced muscle pain over time due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Simmer 1/2 cup of fresh ginger in 2 cups of hot water for 10 minutes, then soak a cloth in the liquid and apply to the injured area.
Many store-bought options contain a lot of sugar and little ginger. You can make your own by boiling 2 cups of water with 1/4 cup of freshly grated ginger along with a sweetener such as honey, then simmering for 5-10 minutes, straining, and then mixing it with carbonated water.
Create your own ginger cleanser by combining a small amount of grated ginger with honey and castile soap. Honey, a humectant, helps draw moisture to the skin.
Ginger contains over 40 antioxidants that can help protect your skin against aging, and it can also clear acne with its antibacterial properties.
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help to support healthy mouth tissue and fight oral bacteria linked to diseases in the gums like gingivitis and periodontitis.
One study found that a mixture of ginger, mastic, cinnamon, and sesame oil can reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically.
Osteoarthritis involves degeneration of the joints in the body, leading to symptoms like joint pain and stiffness, and some studies show ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms and thereby lowering the need for other pain medications.
Tossing a small knob of ginger into your smoothie is a great health boost and tastes delicious with a variety of different fruits, from mango to bananas!
Ginger has been proven to help with indigestion, as it appears to speed up emptying of the stomach.
Ginger can help ease a chronic cough or a cold because of its soothing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Suck on a ginger lozenge or enjoy a warm ginger tea.
In a tall pan you can boil 1/2 cup of honey, two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger until it gets to 350°F while stirring occasionally, then pour it into silicone molds or make drops on a silicone sheet.
Some studies have shown that ginger can relieve migraines by reducing symptom strength and duration. Try having a ginger tea or lozenge, or massage a few drops of diluted ginger oil into your temples, forehead, and back of the neck.
Many find ginger to be very effective against menstrual pain when taken at the beginning of the menstrual period, with some saying it’s as effective as ibuprofen.
The cell-protecting properties of ginger can lower the long-term risk of certain cancers by reducing cellular activity that causes DNA changes, cell death, and growth of cancer cells.
One study showed daily intake of 3 grams of ginger caused significant reductions in most cholesterol markers like LDL lipoproteins (the bad cholesterol), which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
Some research suggests that ginger can protect against age-related damage to the brain like oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, which are believed to drive Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.
Ginger oil can be applied to the body topically for aches and pains, and it can also be ingested to treat an upset stomach. Make it at home by combining 1 cup freshly grated ginger root, 1 1/2 cups olive oil, and baking it at 150°F for two hours. Strain the oil to remove pieces of ginger before use. Test a small amount to make sure it doesn't irritate your skin.
If you have athlete’s foot, adding fresh ginger to a foot bath not only feels good, but it can help kill bacteria and fungus.
Simmer fresh ginger on the stovetop to make your house smell amazing. You can throw in vanilla, cinnamon, orange, apple, or clove to round out the scent.
Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections and can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria.
While all of these benefits sound great, the more ginger is not always the merrier, specifically when it comes to ingesting it. Having too much could actually give you a stomach ache or heartburn, and using too concentrated of a solution on your skin could irritate it.
See also: 10 natural superfood powders to add to your diet today.
The root of the flowering plant (which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family) is called the "rhizome," or what we know as ginger. Inside the ginger root we find gingerol, the natural oil that holds powerful medicinal properties.
We already know ginger works wonders as a flavoring agent in many Asian recipes, but the spice has also become more recognized in Western medicine as a powerful tool for health—something traditional Chinese medicine practitioners knew centuries ago.
Ginger can come in many forms—fresh, powdered, gel, oil, tea, juice, lozenges, etc.—but across the board it is known to be healthy, delicious, and loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that benefit your body and brain.
You've already heard you should drink ginger tea when you're sick, but there's so much more the mighty root can offer. Check out this gallery to see some secret and surprising uses for the magical superfood.
Ginger: the magical root’s secret and surprising uses
The superfood that actually deserves its title
HEALTH Food
We already know ginger works wonders as a flavoring agent in many Asian recipes, but the spice has also become more recognized in Western medicine as a powerful tool for health—something traditional Chinese medicine practitioners knew centuries ago.
Ginger can come in many forms—fresh, powdered, gel, oil, tea, juice, lozenges, etc.—but across the board it is known to be healthy, delicious, and loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that benefit your body and brain.
You've already heard you should drink ginger tea when you're sick, but there's so much more the mighty root can offer. Check out this gallery to see some secret and surprising uses for the magical superfood.