Fresh Ginger: 14 Different Uses
Ginger is a root that has been used by many societies for thousands of years. Its most well-known use is in the kitchen. But, today we’re going to show you 14 others uses for fresh ginger that you might not know about. So, keep reading!
Fresh ginger as an antioxidant
Ginger, like most herbs, has a high level of antioxidants. This means ginger is very recommended for fighting internal swelling in the body and preventing sickness. Nutritionists recommend consuming ginger and similar herbs in order to stay healthy.
Improves stomach health
By consuming fresh ginger, you can also improve intestinal health and bowel movements. Plus, it is great for speeding up the production of digestive enzymes. This helps you have a well-functioning digestive process. So, don’t forget: ginger is great for problems such as indigestion, constipation and diarrhea.
Fresh ginger as an analgesic
Ginger has analgesic properties that can be very useful for joint and muscle pain. This means that fresh ginger is really beneficial for people who suffer from arthritis.
This is true because it can reduce the amount of pain they experience and increase their mobility. Fresh ginger is also a great option for athletes and trainers who experience muscle pain during training sessions.
If you ever get home from work feeling very physically tired, try putting a bit of fresh ginger in your bathtub. Taking a bath with ginger water is great for those days when you feel tired and stressed.
Alleviate nausea during pregnancy
Pregnant women tend to feel nauseous very often. However, doctors don’t recommend taking any medications for nausea. Different medications can harm the baby, which is it’s best to take as few as possible.
Thanks to recent studies that have been carried out in a number of European and Asian countries, researchers have discovered that drinking ginger root as a tea or consuming this product naturally helps to alleviate symptoms of vomiting.
And, because it’s natural, fresh ginger is safe for pregnant women to ingest. However, you should still ask your doctor before using ginger to control nausea during your pregnancy.
Prevents bowel cancer
Studies have shown that ginger has a component called gingerol. It’s the substance that gives this root its distinctive taste. Besides its flavor, gingerol is an anti- carcinogen and has been proven to help prevent colon and rectal cancer.
Stimulates appetite
The sharp taste of ginger can serve as a stimulant. For people who have appetite loss, ginger is great to drink as a juice or tea. Ginger also stimulates your appetite because it increases the production of digestive enzymes.
Prevents and improves symptoms of ovarian cancer
Just like the above cases of colon and rectal cancer, ginger is especially useful when it comes to helping prevent malign tumors. As previously mentioned, this herb contains elements that may help prevent the formation of cancerous cells.
Alleviates menstrual cramps
The healing properties of ginger can help you to keep your reproductive system healthy. For women who suffer from strong menstrual cramps, eating/drinking this herb at the beginning of their cycle can help reduce menstrual pain. Plus, regularly consuming ginger can help you to keep your menstrual cycle regular.
Prevents nausea while travelling
For those of you who suffer from car sickness, sea sickness or nausea while travelling by plane, ginger can be very useful. This is true due to the calming effect it can have on your nerves.
You can chew ginger or coat it in sugar to take with you on your trip. Of course, there are over-the-counter medications for this type of condition. However, ginger is a natural alternative that can be just as beneficial.
Prevents abdominal pain and gas
Stress, digestive problems and poor eating habits can be the main causes of gases and abdominal pain. By incorporating ginger into your daily meal plan, you will be able to reduce these symptoms and improve your stomach health.
Prevents respiratory problems
This herb is also ideal for lung and heart health. If you suffer from problems such as asthma or bronchitis, just add a bit of ginger to your usual recipes to speed up the healing process.
Sunburn treatment
Due to its healing properties, you can also use ginger to deal with minor skin problems and burns. Just apply the juice and oil extracted directly from the plant to the affected area. This will help speed up the regrowth of skin tissue.
You might also like: 9 Ways to Treat Sunburns
Flavoring agent
This part doesn’t need much explaining since there are already thousands of recipes out there with ginger on the ingredient list.
One thing we would like to point out is how versatile this herb is; you can add it to anything from sauces and dressings, to both hot and cold drinks. It goes well with just about any food you can imagine.
Cosmetic use
The properties of ginger make it an excellent component for soaps, perfumes, lotions and other cosmetics, as it is great for the skin and helps revitalize the body.
As you have seen in this article, ginger has many properties and uses. Try it out, because it’s a great option for you to start adding to your recipes today!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Ginger. (2010). In Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.12940
- Ali, B. H., Blunden, G., Tanira, M. O., & Nemmar, A. (2008). Some phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): A review of recent research. Food and Chemical Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2007.09.085
- Shukla, Y., & Singh, M. (2007). Cancer preventive properties of ginger: A brief review. Food and Chemical Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2006.11.002
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021/