We are not talking about people with red hair, we are talking about the the root of plants in the Zingiberaceae family. A spice used in cooking for its rich fiery flavour but its use for it medicinal properties also have a long history.
Indians and Chinese have produced a tonic from Ginger root for over 5000 years to treat many ailments such as digestive problems, nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and morning sickness. However interestingly ginger does not grow naturally in the wild, so must have been cultivated in some way but its origins are uncertain. The Romans first imported ginger from China and by the 16th century 2000 tons were being shipped into Europe from the West Indies.
Sweating Diaphoretic
As a diaphoretic ginger tea is good to drink when feel a cold coming on, as it will warm you from the inside and promote perspiration. It can be used to help treat feverish conditions such as influenza or colds.
Anti-inflammatory
The ginger root is rich in volatile oils that contain the active component gingerol. This potent anti-inflammatory compound is believed to explain why people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain levels and improvements in their mobility when they consume ginger on a regular basis. Gingerols inhibit the formation of inflammatory cytokines, or chemical messengers of the immune system.
Soothing Digestion and Nausea
Ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating discomfort and pain in the stomach. It’s regarded as an excellent carminative, a substance that promotes the elimination of excessive gas from the digestive system, and soothes the intestinal tract. Colic and dyspepsia respond particularly well to ginger.
It also have been used through history to reduce symptoms a associated with motion sickness, including dizziness, nausea, vomiting and cold sweating. In addition it has been used to treat the nausea and vomiting associated with mild pregnancy sickness. However, you should always check with your GP or midwife to ensure it is appropriate for you.
Ginger Tea Options
We use ginger in a number of our hand blended loose leaf teas, so if your looking to get more ginger into your diet why not try some of our delicious ginger blends.
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