One of the healthiest spices with a plethora of benefits, Ginger contains many nutrients and has been used as a medicine for very long in Ayurveda. Most commonly known as ‘Adrak’, its scientific name is Zingiber Officinale and it belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is closely related to spices like turmeric and cardamom. Dr. Kalpesh Rameshlal Baphana, MD Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics, Kalpayu Health Care Clinic, Pune explains, “Ginger contains a compound called Gingerol, which is very potent and has a high number of medicinal properties. It can be used in our daily diet as well as for certain treatments.”
Benefits Of Ginger
As explained by Dr. Kalpesh:
- It can be used as an anti-inflammatory in many musculoskeletal disorders like muscle pain, sore muscle or joint pain, and osteoarthritis.
- It can help reduce blood glucose levels as well.
- It is proven to be anti-lipidemic, which means that it decreases cholesterol and other body fats.
- Ginger is also beneficial in reducing cardiac /heart risk factors, for which it can be included in the daily diet. However, it can also be taken as medicine if a person is hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, etc.
- It is very helpful in treating conditions like nausea and morning sickness.
- Due to its hot potency, it is beneficial for treating common cold and flu.
- Chronic indigestion in which one may experience heaviness in the stomach, bloating, improper digestion are conditions that can be treated with ginger.
- It can be used as an antispasmodic to reduce menstrual cramps during Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
- Being antilipidemic, it can be used to protect one from Alzheimer's disease.
- It is also a very good anti-aging agent and is called Rasayana, which means it delays the aging process.
How Can We Consume It?
You can add it to your daily drinks and foods like tea, soups, curries, etc. However, if you wish to take it as a medicine that can be in the form of a powder, tablets, or capsules, it should be taken strictly under medical supervision. Consult your physician first.
“Moreover, over-consumption of anything is harmful, and therefore unnecessary consumption of ginger in high quantities can lead to conditions like piles, skin disorders, nasal bleeding, internal ulcers, etc. thus one has to be very careful when taking it as a medicine,”, he says.
Thus, ginger is a superfood, a spice used in every household, and is very beneficial considering certain health parameters. Especially during monsoons, which comes with cold and flu, including ginger in your daily diet will help you prevent them and stay healthy. In today’s scenario of the pandemic, ginger can also help fight infections, and thus, its consumption in the everyday diet is recommended.
