Ginger is a flowering plant that produces beautiful yellow-green flowers in the springtime in tropical and subtropical areas. This reedy plant is a perennial, growing year to year without annual replanting. While the ginger flower is prominently featured in many landscaping applications due to its beauty, this plant is so much more than just a pretty face.
An Herb Used by Ancient Societies
Ginger has a long history dating back thousands of years in the Far East, eventually making its way to India which currently produces most of the world’s supply. Despite ginger’s reputation as a kitchen spice used in both sweet and savory dishes, it provides many more big advantages. Many?Health Benefits of Ginger?have been extensively studied and have produced some very promising results.
In addition to ginger’s earlier mentioned versatility as a kitchen spice staple used to make hearty, spicy main dishes and sweet treats, its health benefits are equally many-sided. Ginger’s advantages to human health start at the root and continue to the buds and flowers. Ancient societies have used ginger for medicinal purposes for almost 3,000 years.
Dried Ginger Root
Ginger root is the fundamental part of the plant that produces the spice. It’s is made by allowing the rhizome to dry and then grinding the dried ginger root into a fine powder. Studies have shown that dried ginger helps with indigestion by assisting the body in processing food. Indigestion is usually caused by food sitting in the stomach for too long. Ginger alleviates this condition by increasing activity in the stomach.
Beneficial for Type 2 Diabetes
Assisting people with type 2 diabetes control?their blood sugar?is another health benefit of this herbal powerhouse. Ginger accomplishes this feat by increasing the insulin produced by the pancreas. Multiple studies have shown that ginger works with diabetes medications to lower A1c levels and maintain steady glucose levels for those with type 2 diabetes.
Provides Help with Body-Wide Inflammation
Inflammation bought on by arthritis affects 24% of all Americans and is a leading cause of body pain and disability. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial antioxidants and has facilitated pain relief in rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The antimicrobial effects of these substances have shown great promise in fighting several degenerative conditions and diseases.
Advantages for the Brain
While ginger has more than proven its worth in treating ailments of the body, many people are much less familiar with ginger’s health benefits for the mind. Ginger has active compounds that boost mood and sharpen mental focus. This is believed to occur due to gingers’ unique antioxidant combination, which produces a solid anti-inflammatory response that enhances cognitive processing and attention.
The compounds found in ginger increase blood flow to the brain providing nutrients and the increased ability to remove toxins and waste products. When the blood flow increases in the brain, neurotransmitter activity also increases, allowing the neurons to communicate more efficiently. These same compounds help to protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals in the body.
Backed by thousands of years of successful use and application for ailments of the body and mind, ginger is one of the most valuable herbs found in the environment. Scientists are currently conducting studies on future applications for this extraordinary plant.?
