Ginger root: contraindications, medicinal properties, recipes

Ginger root is firmly entrenched in domestic kitchens. Even those who have not appreciated the spicy spiciness of this product keep it in their refrigerator because of the exceptional benefits to the body. Nevertheless, in addition to the healing qualities, it is important to consider some contraindications. Ginger root - what you need to know about this product?

fresh and dried ginger

How Europe Learned About Ginger

Before you begin to study the indications and contraindications of ginger root, you should find out some interesting information about this product. The plant is common in countries with warm climates. It is grown in South Asia, Australia, India, Indonesia, Barbados and so on. As for root cultivation on an industrial scale, this is done in China.

In Asian countries, the healing properties and contraindications of ginger have been known since ancient times. There he is actively used in cooking and traditional medicine. But the story of the popularization of this spice in Europe is very interesting and falls on the times when a plague raged on the continent.

A terrible disease did not spare anyone. Only port movers who carried bags of spices (in particular, with ginger) did not touch it. Workers constantly inhaled vapors, essential oils and particles of spices, which made them immune to the disease. When this pattern was discovered, ginger was simply worth its weight in gold. It was sold for fabulous money. And, despite the fact that in Europe at that time almost no one knew how to properly treat with ginger, nevertheless, the spice saved many lives.

Chemical composition of the product

All the beneficial properties and contraindications of ginger root are due to a set of substances that are part of the chemical composition of the product. Here are the main ones:

  • Zingiberins and sesquiterpenes. They are part of medications designed to combat parasites (in particular, with helminths).

  • Cineol is a substance that is part of many cold medicines. It has pronounced antiseptic and expectorant effects.

  • Citral is one of the types of alcohols that is actively used in pharmacology as a component of the composition of antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs. It also has a positive effect on blood pressure. This is one of the key substances that determine the benefits of ginger root for the body.

  • Capsacin is an alkaloid that determines the analgesic properties of the product. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
  • B vitamins - substances responsible for the immune response, as well as processes that occur in the central nervous system, accelerate metabolism throughout the body. Vitamins improve the condition of the skin, prevent the development of anemia.
  • Potassium is the main intracellular ion that provides water, electrolyte and alkaline balance. Participates in the processes of nerve impulses.
  • Magnesium - supports the functioning of the heart muscle, stabilizes the nervous system.
  • Phosphorus - normalizes energy metabolism and restores acid-base balance. Provides mineralization of bone tissue.
  • Iron - regulates the course of redox processes in the body. Prevents the development of anemia, maintains muscle tone, increases mental and physical activity.
  • Manganese - a substance that takes part in the formation of connective and bone tissue, provides carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
  • Copper - promotes the metabolism of iron, accelerates the absorption of carbohydrates and proteins. It takes part in the process of tissue saturation with oxygen.
  • Selenium is an essential element with an immunomodulatory effect. It also prevents the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular system.
  • Zinc - is part of many enzymes, is responsible for the formation and breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, proteins. Prevents the development of anemia and sexual dysfunctions.

Top 7 Reasons to Buy Ginger

Useful properties and contraindications of ginger are interested in everyone who cares about their health. The golden root is not just a flavoring supplement to food, but also a real medicine that should always be at hand. Here are 7 reasons to always have ginger in your refrigerator:

  1. Helps with nausea. If you ate something not fresh enough or were sick of transport, ginger will save you. To overcome an unpleasant symptom, you need to drink water with the addition of spices or suck a small piece of root.
  2. Fights a cold. Ginger tea copes with cold symptoms better than any Coldrex pharmacy. And he has a powerful preventive effect.
  3. Reduces the risk of Alzheimer's. Up to 70% of people over 65 face this problem. The whole cause is inflammation and free radical oxidation, which can prevent and suppress the regular use of ginger at a young age.
  4. Eliminates muscle pain. Ginger should be consumed daily (at least a little) by those who attend training or are engaged in heavy physical labor. Spice can significantly reduce the intensity and duration of muscle pain.
  5. Helps maintain a snow-white smile. Ginger is ruthless to germs and bacteria that cause tooth decay and oral diseases. Therefore, do not forget to add hot spice to your dishes. You can also chew a small piece of root after a meal.
  6. Makes a slim figure. Ginger accelerates metabolism at times and has a fat-burning effect. Of course, spicy root in itself is not a guarantee of harmony. It only enhances the effect of proper nutrition and training.
  7. Increases sex drive. To some extent, ginger can be considered an aphrodisiac. Therefore, if you are planning a romantic dinner, be sure to season the dishes with a fragrant spine.

In some cases, indications and contraindications for ginger root are very controversial, for example, regarding nausea. Namely - with toxicosis in pregnant women. Despite the fact that this remedy effectively suppresses vomiting, expectant mothers are better off refusing to use spices, as in the early stages it can be dangerous for the embryo, and in the later it provokes a premature birth.

why ginger is needed

Positive effect on different body systems

In the course of studies studying the properties and contraindications of ginger root, it was proved that this is a "universal fighter" who simultaneously works on several fronts. So, research on the benefits of spicy root should begin with the digestive system. Here are his main tasks:

  • increases appetite;
  • stimulates the synthesis of gastric juice;
  • accelerates the process of digestion of food and facilitates its assimilation;
  • fights flatulence;
  • kills parasites in the intestines.

For immunity, ginger root has the following meaning:

  • removes toxins from the body;
  • stimulates the production of antibodies;
  • kills pathogenic bacteria;
  • increases the protective barriers of the body.

The positive effect of ginger on the circulatory system can be described as follows:

  • lowers the level of "bad" cholesterol;
  • improves blood composition;
  • dilutes the biological fluid and normalizes its movement through the vessels;
  • prevents the formation of blood clots;
  • strengthens the walls of blood vessels and makes them elastic;
  • normalizes the process of blood formation;
  • reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

For women, ginger root is of particular importance. Spice has such a positive effect on the fair sex:

  • maintains youth and elasticity of the skin;
  • normalizes hormonal levels;
  • increases fertility;
  • enhances libido;
  • mitigates the symptoms of menopause;
  • neutralizes the symptoms of PMS;
  • contributes to the treatment of inflammatory processes in the pelvis;
  • weakens menstrual pain;
  • fights skin rashes.

Spice is no less useful for the stronger sex. The valuable properties of ginger root for men are as follows:

  • normalizes hormonal levels;
  • enhances erectile function;
  • contributes to the treatment of infertility;
  • improves sperm quality;
  • improves physical stamina.

Fighting the common cold

Proponents of alternative medicine, accustomed to using plants for colds, do not lose sight of the healing properties of ginger root. In this case, they find contraindication only individual intolerance to the spice. Fragrant spice can be considered a natural antibiotic, which in strength can be compared with garlic. But compared with the domestic product, it is devoid of an unpleasant pungent odor.

For a symptomatic treatment of the first manifestations of a cold, prepare a warming drink. Dissolve a quarter of a teaspoon of ground ginger in a glass of boiling water. When the liquid has cooled to a comfortable drinking temperature, add a tablespoon of lemon juice and honey. Drink the composition before bedtime. It acts no worse than pharmacy cold teas.

If you are concerned about a runny nose and nasal congestion, prepare a mixture of fresh ginger juice and honey in equal proportions. Take a tablespoon of the composition three to four times a day.

If your voice is hoarse, mix fresh ginger juice with lemon juice in equal proportions. Drink a teaspoon of the mixture three times a day, after adding a little salt to it.

ginger tea

Joint treatment

Studying the useful properties and contraindications of ginger root, recipes from it, pay attention to the effect of this tool on the joints. If you regularly eat this product, you can significantly reduce the risk of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as inflammatory processes. But if you have already encountered a problem, all the same ginger will come to your aid.

Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, aromatic root is actively used in the complex treatment of arthritis. A compress is especially effective, which includes such components:

  • a tablespoon of ginger puree;
  • teahouse - turmeric;
  • half less red ground pepper;
  • a little sesame oil to give the composition a creamy consistency.

The procedure is as follows:

  1. Connect all the components and move.
  2. Evenly distribute the composition over a small piece of cotton cloth and attach to a painful place.
  3. Fasten the compress.
  4. Leave for a few hours (but if the burning sensation is unbearable for you, remove the compress). Repeat the procedure daily until the condition improves.

Also, joint pain can be combated from the inside with ginger decoction. It can be used alone or in combination with a compress. To prepare a decoction you will need:

  • a teaspoon of ginger puree;
  • two glasses of water;
  • sugar or honey.

Here's how to prepare an anesthetic drink:

  1. Pour ginger with water, put on fire and cook for 40 minutes.
  2. Cool and strain the finished product, add a little honey or sugar to taste.
  3. Divide into three tricks. Drink thrice a day in a heated form.

It is better for holders of thin sensitive skin to abandon ginger compresses, and focus on taking a decoction.

Ginger Slimming

In addition to treatment, ginger root is also used in the struggle for slimness. These types of drinks will help you quickly say goodbye to extra pounds:

  • Ginger tea. In a liter of strong green tea, add a tablespoon of ginger pulp and a pinch of cinnamon. Boil the liquid, add a little lemon juice and honey. Drink a cup of tea before meals to dull hunger and improve digestion.
  • Ginger Kefir. In a glass of low-fat kefir, add a third of a teaspoon of ground ginger and cinnamon, as well as a pinch of red pepper. Stir the drink thoroughly and drink it before breakfast. If you add a little ground oatmeal to it, a cocktail may well replace breakfast.
  • Ginger coffee Before brewing coffee in the usual way, add half a teaspoon of fresh ginger puree, ground cinnamon, anise and a little orange zest to the Turk. Drink once a day (preferably in the morning).
  • Pineapple-ginger smoothie. Place the following ingredients in a blender bowl: a glass of water, five rings of canned pineapple, a teaspoon of ginger pulp, lemon juice and honey. Beat well, strain if desired. Drink this fat-burning drink on your workout day.
ginger slimming

To normalize erectile function

The healing properties of ginger root find their application when it comes to the male reproductive system. Spicy spice helps to normalize potency and treat infertility. Here are some tools to help maintain male power:

  • Mash the hard-boiled egg with a fork and add a teaspoon of ginger juice and lemon. Eat this "dish" every morning during breakfast.
  • Place a handful of walnuts and peeled pumpkin seeds and a third of a teaspoon of dried ginger in a blender bowl. Turn products into paste. Eat a teaspoon of the composition three times a day.
  • In equal proportions, combine liquid honey and fresh ginger puree. Eat a teaspoon of this composition every morning. It is advisable not to swallow the product immediately, but to dissolve it in the mouth for a while.
chopped ginger

Application in cosmetology

When using a plant as a cosmetic product, it is necessary to take into account not only its benefits, and contraindications for ginger root should be found out in advance, since it concerns your appearance. First, let's talk about its positive effects. So, based on the fragrant root, you can develop an excellent mask for tone, freshness and healthy skin color. Here's how to cook it:

  1. In equal proportions, combine grated ginger and liquid honey.
  2. Wash with warm water, pat your face with a towel.
  3. Spread the mask over the skin, avoiding tender areas around the eyes and lips.
  4. Soak the product on the face for 10 minutes. During this time, you should feel a slight tingling (a burning sensation should be a signal to wash the composition off the face).
  5. Wash with cool water and apply a light cream.

If a painful pimple pops up on your face, cut a thin plate of ginger and attach it to the problem area. Hold for five minutes. During the day, repeat this manipulation two to three more times.

If you suffer from acne or acne, ginger lotion will help. It is prepared as follows:

  1. Take a tablespoon of ginger puree and dried herb celandine and pour a glass of boiling water.
  2. Wrap the container with a towel and insist until it cools completely.
  3. Strain the infusion and add 30 g of vodka.
  4. Pour into a glass container and send to a dark, cool place.
  5. Wipe the problem areas of the skin daily with the resulting composition.

Ginger is an effective way to fight cellulite. Powder or pulp may be added to scrubs and massage oils. And you can make a wrap:

  1. In equal proportions, combine ginger puree and honey.
  2. Take a shower to steam the skin and spread the mass over problem areas.
  3. Wrap the treated areas tightly with cling film, put on tight pants or a warm bathrobe.
  4. The composition should remain on the skin from 30 minutes to an hour. You can spend this time wrapping yourself in a blanket or doing physical exercises.

Ginger is also a wonderful tool to combat hair loss and accelerate their growth. Here's what you need to do to maintain luxurious curls:

  1. Combine olive, burdock or sunflower oil with ginger juice in a ratio of 1: 4.
  2. Distribute along the basal zone, after wetting the hair with water.
  3. Massage your scalp for 5 minutes.
  4. Warm it with polyethylene and a towel and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Rinse with warm water and shampoo.

The main contraindication to the use of ginger root for cosmetic purposes is an allergy. To make sure it is absent, apply a small amount of the juice of the spice plant to the wrist, fold the elbow or the skin behind the ear. If within a quarter of an hour there was no itching or redness, then you can safely proceed to the procedures. Also, do not use ginger for owners of sensitive skin, as well as those who have a capillary mesh.

beautiful girl

Other applications

What else is useful and how to use ginger root? Given the wide range of healing properties, there are many options for using this spice to maintain health. Here is some of them:

  • From muscle pain and body aches, ginger baths help. In a liter of water, boil a tablespoon of powder powder and pour into a filled bath. The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes.
  • You can alleviate the condition with hemorrhoids by taking the composition of aloe and ginger inside. A teaspoon of plant juice will need a pinch of ground spices.
  • With an upset stomach, you need to make a drink from natural yogurt, a quarter of a teaspoon of ground spices and a pinch of nutmeg. And with the disorder, you can rub the skin around the navel with ginger juice.
  • Headache quickly disappears if you cut the plate with fresh ginger and rub the middle of the forehead and whiskey with the spine. This method is also recommended for migraines.
  • Ginger is a sure remedy in the fight against morning lethargy. Drink a cup of tea with the addition of spices or chew a small piece of root, and you have a boost of energy for the whole day.
  • When colds are rampant on the street, always carry a piece of ginger or aroma medallion with you. While in crowded places, inhale the aroma of spices - this will protect you from viruses and infections.

Contraindications to the use of ginger root

Unfortunately, any plant has certain limitations to use. Since the fragrant root is fairly justifiably referred to as medicine, this judgment is appropriate for him. Like the beneficial properties of ginger root, recipes, contraindications are also subject to familiarization. Here in which cases you can not use this spice:

  • Pregnant women (especially in the later stages, because this can provoke a premature birth).
  • During lactation (ginger contains many esters and other substances that pass into breast milk).
  • With heavy menstruation (in this case, do not take ginger as an anesthetic, so as not to provoke even more severe bleeding).
  • Children under 5-6 years of age (the digestive tract of the child is too sensitive for such an aggressive product as ginger).
  • Elderly people (spice puts too much strain on the cardiovascular system of an elderly person).
  • Ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract (acute spice can provoke an exacerbation of the condition).
  • Increased acidity of gastric juice (ginger will only exacerbate the problem).
  • Abnormal body temperature (spice has a warming effect, and therefore it will only increase the heat).
  • Hypertension (given that ginger speeds up blood circulation, it can further increase blood pressure).
  • Heart disease (from acute spice, the heart muscle begins to contract faster, which can trigger an exacerbation of the condition).
  • Poor blood coagulability (spice dilutes biological fluid, this should be treated with special attention if you have a surgical operation).
  • Stones in the gall bladder (a spice can provoke an attack of gallstone disease).
  • Diseases of the liver (this contraindication when taking ginger root is due to the fact that acute spice is too much a burden for a diseased organ and can pose a serious danger to it).
  • Nervous disorders (ginger is characterized by an exciting effect, which can provoke hysteria and insomnia).
  • Tendency to allergic reactions (the root contains many esters and other substances that can cause skin rashes or anaphylactic reactions).
  • The simultaneous use of drugs aimed at lowering blood sugar, treating arrhythmias, stimulating heart activity, thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure (ginger can enhance the effect of these drugs, which will lead to serious adverse reactions).

Before eating or using for medicinal purposes, ginger root, useful properties and contraindications for use are mandatory. If you do not have problems that may lead to the rejection of this product, it should not cause any negative reactions. True, deterioration in well-being can occur with abuse of spice. The main signs of an overdose are nausea, sharp pain in the stomach, heartburn, hot flashes.

Useful Tips

Now you have an idea of ​​the beneficial properties of ginger root. And there are more than enough contraindications to the use of herbal medicine. Therefore, everyone will conclude for themselves the appropriateness of using this product. If you are one of those who always have a piece of fragrant root in the refrigerator, some good advice will come in handy. Namely:

  • The beneficial properties and contraindications of ginger root in powder are absolutely identical to the fresh product. But if you prefer to use dry spice, keep in mind that it is more concentrated. A teaspoon of powder is equivalent to a tablespoon of spice in the form of fresh slurry.
  • If you do not like the taste and aroma of the root, use modern means with similar beneficial properties and contraindications. Capsules of ginger root is an excellent medicine in the fight against motion sickness, colds, overweight.
  • When buying plants in the supermarket, choose the most recent tubers. They differ in a creamy golden color and the absence of growths or dark spots.
  • Fresh ginger very quickly loses its beneficial properties (within about 10 days). To extend the shelf life, divide it into small pieces, wrap it with cling film and send it to the freezer.
  • Another option to keep ginger longer is to pickle or dry it. You can also prepare a healthy treat in the form of candied candied fruits.
  • When peeling ginger, try to cut off as thin a layer of the peel as possible. After all, it is believed that it is in the surface layers of the root crop that the maximum amount of nutrients is concentrated.
ginger with honey

Conclusion

Even if you are 100% sure of your knowledge regarding the medicinal properties and contraindications of ginger root, this does not mean that you can replace the main treatment with spice. In case of any ailment, first contact your doctor to determine its nature and receive recommendations regarding therapy. Regarding the internal and external use of ginger, also consult with a specialist. Perhaps the doctor will give you valuable recommendations based on the individual characteristics of the body.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/C3543/


All Articles