Ginger: The "Root" part of our formula
The most widely used root-spice in the world, Ginger has an abundance of healing properties. In Ayurveda, it is considered as a Universal Medicine. Ginger tastes pungent (spicy), while at the same time sweet and warming. We are sure that you have had fresh or dried Ginger at some point in drinks, Asian curry dishes, and as in dessert cakes, cookies, and candies. While India, China, and other Asian countries have been using Ginger for thousands of years, western cultures have been intrigued by it from early 19th century. Today, Ginger is extensively used and studied all over the globe for it’s amazing appetizing taste as well many therapeutic, healing qualities.
Ginger, an excellent digestive:
Ginger warms the digestive system and increases the secretion of digestive enzymes. Fresh ginger especially benefits the digestive fire and juices while dry ginger clears undigested material and mucus aggravations. The two forms of ginger play different roles in digestion, but both help to warm and stimulate the process. The effects of ginger on gastric motility and emptying, abdominal symptoms, and hormones that influence motility are outstanding. Ginger is imperative plant medicine for Dyspepsia: A chronic indigestion, often reported as feelings of stomach pain, over-fullness and bloating during and after eating. Common symptoms include acid reflux, heartburn, and excessive burping. Ginger accelerates gastric emptying while stimulating antral contractions.
Studies show that ginger reduces nausea, tachygastric activity, and vasopressin release induced by circular vection, while delaying their onset and shortening the recovery time afterwards. Evaluating the effectiveness of ginger on motion sickness, was performed on eighty naval cadets, unaccustomed to sailing in heavy seas. 1g of ginger root reduced the tendency to vomiting and cold sweating significantly better than placebo and ingestion gave remarkably fewer symptoms of nausea, vertigo and motion sickness. It also demonstrated the alleviation of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy with the use of ginger.
Ginger’s antibacterial power is effective against preventing numerous intestinal problems due to the alteration of the intestinal flora. Ginger is ideal as a prevention to avoid ulcers by eliminating a bacterium that secrets of ammonia responsible for many ulcers, especially those of the duodenal (small intestine) ulcers and for other stomach problems like gastritis. Ginger can neutralize the excess of gastric acids that creates the formation of ulcers.
While ginger stimulates bile production, it is also hepato-protective. A study using an aqueous ethanol extract of ginger concluded that it works either by preventing the decline of hepatic antioxidant status or due to its direct radical scavenging capacity.
Gingerol-related components have been reported to possess antimicrobial and antifungal properties, as well as several pharmaceutical properties. Studies show that is demonstrates the effectiveness of the anti-bacterial properties of ginger against digestive pathogens. Various extracts, ranging from ethanolic to raw juice, to hot and cold water, exhibited varying effectiveness at different concentrations. Cold-water extract of ginger inhibited both Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi at all concentrations, while the ethanolic extract of ginger gave the widest zone of inhibition against Salmonella typhi. Ginger extract and its pungent compounds demonstrated antibacterial activity against a variety of bacterial species.
Ginger’s antimicrobial actions go beyond digestive pharma-pathogens. As some bacteria grow resistant to pharmaceuticals. Hence, scientific studies have turned to ginger as a potential aid.
Ginger’s Anti-inflammatory benefits:
As a relative of turmeric, ginger shares many of its functions. One study found ginger’s active constituents to act much like turmeric’s in affecting inflammation, oxidative damage, and fighting the ravages of aging and degenerative diseases.
Ginger is gaining more and more recognition for its anti-inflammatory actions. While Ayurveda has long- touted its benefits, contemporary research studies are now proving how they work. From an Ayurvedic perspective, despite its ‘warm’ energy, ginger also inhibits the activity of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
Ginger’s actions from Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzymes produce hormone-like prostaglandins that protect the digestive tract from acids and assist in essential blood clotting. Ginger’s enzymes play a direct role in the production of prostaglandins that protect the body after injury, creating inflammation. This pharmacological property distinguishes ginger from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have a better therapeutic profile and have fewer side effects than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are often used in modern medicine to both reduce inflammation, and the associated pain. But acting on COX-2 and often COX-1 enzymes, these drugs reduce the prostaglandins, thus, irritating the stomach’s lining and cause digestive upset, peptic ulcers, and bleeding in the digestive tract.
Ginger inhibits the induction of several genes involved in the inflammatory response. This evidence that ginger modulates biochemical pathways activated in chronic inflammation. A ginger extract, which also contained essential oils and compounds. The crude extract had significant anti-arthritic effects.
In an experiment, a limited number of patients used ginger compresses on their kidneys to manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis. They found that warmth penetrated through the entire self, activating deep relaxation, [and that] total relaxation, enabled release of tension and improved receptivity towards others. Additionally, interest in the outer world increased as they felt more mobile and energized. This alternative treatment to arthritis enabled them to overcome some of the other symptoms that many arthritis patients face, such as psychological distress, social isolation, and general inability to cope as well as pain.
Ginger: Rules Respiratory System:
Many studies have examined ginger’s effects on the respiratory system, its use in Ayurveda for respiratory complaints is well known. It is known for alleviating cough and breathing difficulties. Fresh ginger’s stimulating effects on peripheral circulation, vasodilation, and sweating may contribute to its ability to clear colds. Combined with different herbs, ginger’s many actions can be tailored to the symptoms at hand. With cinnamon and lemongrass, it can induce sweating for a cold. For a high cough, vasa and pippali may be more helpful. As part of trikatu, it can also aid respiratory complaints while accelerating sluggish digestion. It is very common practice in Indian households to create handmade sweet-pills made of dried ginger-powder and jaggery to take one before bed during winter months.
Ginger has been proven effective with asthma, as an anti-inflammatory, anti-hypersecretory, and even helping to repair the body after attack. Using an aqueous methanolic crude extract of ginger, one study found it to inhibit airway contraction through its anti-inflammatory properties. A Taiwanese study found that inflammatory cytokines, which are produced by the bronchial epithelium after exposure to phthalate esters [ingredient in many plastics] contribute to airway remodeling. The research went on to demonstrate that ginger reverses phthalate ester-mediated airway remodeling. Research from South Korea proved Gingerol’s anti-hypersecretory abilities in relation to human airway epithelial cells. Thus, ginger can help reduce inflammation, secretions, and even long-term destruction related to asthma, and thus help in many stages of the disease.
Ginger kills with its Anti-Carcinogenic properties:
In cultured cell studies have proven Ginger to possess anti-carcinogenic properties that may have both chemo preventive and chemo therapeutic effects. These cancer preventive activities are due to free radical scavenging, antioxidant pathways, alteration of gene expressions, and induction of apoptosis, all of which contribute towards decrease in tumor initiation, promotion, and progression.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Ginger’s many actions show widespread potential in cardiovascular disease as well. Ayurveda has known of its ability to reduce feelings of cold. Dry ginger may be of benefit in cardiac disorders due to increasing circulation and potential blood-thinning properties when used in high dosage. In combination with the herbs Arjuna and Guggul, it treats congestive heart conditions and poor circulation.
An article from the International Journal of Cardiology, explains, human trials dry ginger dosages of 5g or more demonstrated significant anti- platelet activity. Ginger offers not only a cheaper natural alternative to conventional pharmaceuticals but one with significantly lower side effects.
In an in-vitro experiment comparing synthetic gingerols with aspirin, the gingerols and related analogues inhibited human platelet activation at the same potency, or greater than that of aspirin. Studies suggest that ginger could be used as a cholesterol-lowering, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory agent. Dried ginger powder, has evidence of anti-oxidation in decreased lipid peroxidation, and an increase in fibrinolytic activity means that wound-healing capabilities are maximized during the use
**The information in this article is intended for your informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.