Ginger Root

Zingiber officinale


For nausea, Ginger is a wonderful and time-honored remedy. It is frequently used to settle a queasy stomach, control vomiting and colic, ease morning sickness, motion sickness and seasickness (some research showed it to be even better than Dramamine).

Ginger has been used to cleanse the body of toxins through the skin by stimulating and increasing perspiration and has also been useful in breaking fevers. It is slightly diuretic and further cleanses the body by strengthening kidney function and increasing kidney filtration.
 
Ginger is a natural blood thinner and may help to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and hardening of the arteries. The chemical gingerol appears to inhibit an enzyme that causes cells to clot and thereby reduces platelet aggregation and blood "clumping." Ginger helps to retard the production of cholesterol by the liver and has been known to reverse the increase in triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, thus helping to combat heart attack. 
As an effective expectorant, Ginger has been used to rid the body of mucus buildup in the sinuses, throat and lungs. For centuries, the Chinese have used Ginger as a drying herb to eliminate mucus and have used it for colds, diarrhea and coughs. This sweet, pungent, aromatic and warming herb is still considered a fine treatment for congestion, colds, influenza, asthma and chronic bronchitis. It is said to ease cold symptoms, and the shagaol in Ginger is thought to kill cold viruses. Its pain relieving properties have been said to ease the abdominal pain sometimes associated with colds and flu and also to counter the pain of strep throat.

Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties are said to help arthritis, bursitis and sprains. It inhibits the production of immune system components called cytokines, chemicals that create a long-term tendency toward inflammation and also stimulates blood circulation, offering pain relief, increased joint mobility, decreased swelling and morning stiffness. Other pain-killing benefits attributed to

Ginger include treatment of migraine headaches, menstrual cramps and the cramping caused by constipation. 




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