Ginger is a perennial herbaceous plant with a fleshy rhizome emitting aerial stems. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and its scientific name is Zingiber Officinalis. It is native to India and Southeast Asia, but currently it abounds in countries with tropical climates. Often used as a spice, it is also attributed several pharmacological properties. As for its chemical composition, it contains essential oil, fibers, polyphenols (gingerols, shogaols and paradols), mineral salts, micronutrients and vitamins (A, C, E, K, B1, B2, B3 , B4, B5, B6 and B9).
Contents
Usual therapeutic indications
Actions on the digestive system:
- Stimulates the motor function of the digestive tract
- Improves digestive comfort
- Fight against gastric and intestinal disorders (flatulence, gas, bloating and dyspepsia)
- Protects the liver and gastrointestinal mucous membranes
- Relieves nausea and vomiting in pregnant women or during post-operative periods
- Fights motion sickness
Actions on the body and the immune system:
- Strengthens immune defences: antimicrobial and antiviral
- General tonic: fight against physical fatigue and low energy
- Relieves pain in case of rheumatism, arthritis, tendonitis or neuralgia of the sciatic nerve
- Soothes muscle aches and pains
Actions on sexuality and fertility:
- Improvement of sperm quality: increase in number and mobility of spermatozoa
- Stimulation of sexual desire
- Fight against sexual asthenia
Other therapeutic actions:
- Prevents the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Improves the situation in case of premenstrual syndrome
- Reduces pain felt during menstruation
- Relieves flu symptoms: cough, fever, cold and sore throat
- Prevents skin, colon, liver and ovarian cancers
Forms and preparations
For each use, the underground parts or the rhizomes of the plant are mainly used. Ginger is often consumed in its fresh form. However, it can be found in the form of decoction, powder, dry extracts, juice, mother tincture, capsule and essential oil.
Methods of administration and dosage
- Decoction : boil for 3 minutes a cup of water and 1 teaspoon of dried root. Leave to infuse for an additional 10 minutes and drink 1 cup after the 3 large meals of the day.
- Mother tincture : 20 to 25 drops of tincture to dilute in a drink, 3 times a day.
- capsule : at breakfast time, 1 capsule per day for children from 6 to 12 years old. From 13 years old, take 2 capsules a day.
- Essential oil (external use): in atmospheric diffusion or mixed with vegetable oil. Then massage the areas to be treated with the preparation obtained.
Warnings
Ingested in high doses, ginger causes gastric irritation. In addition, its use in pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as in people on anticoagulants must be under the supervision of a doctor.
[HighProtein-Foods.com]
