The wonders of Vernonia amygdalina (Bitterleaf) and its importance were discussed in one of the last few posts and I’m sure you got a lot of value. Today, I will be taking you through the wonders of ginger.

Zingiber officinale commonly referred to as ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome or ginger root is used as a spice, consumed as a delicacy and folk medicine. Its important active components are thought to be volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds (such as gingerols and shogaols).

Over the years, I’ve found out that at least 5 out of 10 ladies go through severe menstrual cramps and even ovulation pain. I have a relief; ginger. Ginger is believed to be a pain reliever from menstrual cramps, it could be consumed in its raw form, as powder or as tea.

Research shows that taking ginger powder 500-2000mg during the first 3-4 days of a menstrual cycle modestly decreases pain in women and teens with painful menstrual periods. Zintoma (a ginger extract), works almost as effective as the medication Ibuprofen for cramps. Amazing right?

Are you also aware that ginger helps protect the skin from free radicals (things in the environment like pollution and x-rays) that speed up the breakdown of collagen and damages the skin? This is due to the presence of antioxidants in it. The antioxidant content helps in maintaining the skin collagen production and this promotes skin elasticity and smoothness. This doesn’t mean that you have to rub it on your skin, it’s only referring to adequate consumption into the body system.

I’m sure you’ve come across some fat burn natural formulas, most of them do have ginger in it mixed with some other supplements. This is because ginger helps in reducing the cholesterol level in the body which in turn reduces the risk of having heart diseases. This is achieved by consuming three grams of ginger which is about half a teaspoon three times a day. This will lead to a significantly higher reduction in the triglyceride and cholesterol level in people with high cholesterol.

One of the best importance of ginger to me is this, each time I add it to my stew, it gives it a different flavour and a sweet taste, and even its powdered dry ginger root is typically used as a flavouring for recipes such as gingerbread, cookies, crackers and cakes, and ginger beer.

Due to the presence of gingerols that has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, ginger helps to fight infection and also boost immunity. Hot water + two tablespoons of freshly grated ginger + juice from one lemon fruit + half a tablespoon of honey will do the magic. Also, a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger in your chicken soups has some cold-fighting benefits.

You might want to recommend ginger with someone with high blood pressure. Drinking black tea with ginger might also lower blood pressure although by a small amount in people living with diabetes and high blood pressure. Doses of at least 3 grams of ginger per day seem to be needed as lower doses might not work.

Beyond all doubts, it’s established that ginger is highly medicinal and powerful. Ginger has a lot of other benefits to human health when consumed in the right proportion.