Amazing Ginger

Ginger is a very popular ingredient of Indian cooking and for a reason. It greatly helps in the digestion and assimilation of food. Two or three thin slices of ginger taken with a little rock salt and a few drops of lime juice before a major meal significantly increase the capacity of the digestive tract, and give freedom from flatulence and acid formation. Try this, and you won’t need those expensive medicines.
Ginger is a powerful antiemetic and doesn’t have any side effects. It also suppresses nausea and vomiting and is a potent remedy against morning sickness.
Ginger displays potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and inhibits the production of immune-system components called cytokines. Tea made with ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and cardamom provides relief from arthritic pain.
In Ayurved ginger is treated as “Rasayan” meaning it enhances the medicinal effects of other medications.
Home remedies of ginger
· For cramps: Pour 1cup freshly boiled water over 1 teaspoon dried or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped ginger root. Cover and steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink one cup 3 or 4 times a day or after meals. This is effective for both gastrointestinal and menstrual cramps.
· Nausea: Nibble a few pieces of candied ginger with or without a few drops of lime juice and rock salt. Candied ginger works well too.
Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup maple syrup in a sauce pan and boil. Add 1/2 cup thinly sliced ginger and simmer until liquid has evaporated. Arrange the hot ginger pieces on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 200 degrees until pieces are dry [about 11/2 hours
· Asthma: A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice mixed in a cup of fenugreek tea made with 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds and honey to taste acts as an excellent expectorant in cases of asthma.
· Bronchitis: Take a mixture of half a teaspoon each of powdered ginger, pepper and cloves three times daily with honey or as an infusion or tea.
· Impotence: Half a teaspoon of ginger juice to be taken with one half boiled egg and honey daily night for a month. It relieves impotence and premature ejaculation. Found to improve sperm count in many cases.
· Indigestion: Ginger has major role in treatment of indigestion, tastelessness, loss of appetite, flatulence, nausea, vomiting etc. A small piece of fresh ginger with salt/rock salt (Sendha Namak) sprinkled on it, if eaten prior to meal helps in digestion and assimilation of food.
Ginger is a classic tonic for the digestive tract and stimulates digestion. It also keeps the intestinal muscles toned. This action eases the transport of food through the digestive tract, This action may protect the stomach from the damaging effect of alcohol and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) and may help prevent ulcers.
· Allergies and asthma: Dried ginger can help in the management of allergies and asthma by counteracting the effect of the platelet-activating factor (PAP). PAP initiates inflammatory processes in allergy and asthma.
Ginger is also seen to selectively destroy the ovarian cancer cells due to its anti-inflammatory effect. Ovarian cancer is often detected very late due to absence of symptoms till the later stages. Regular consumption of ginger could well be the best prevention against this type of cancer.
Ginger can and needs to be a part of daily cooking. One can use it finely chopped or as a paste to flavor almost all dishes.

Rajiv Sethi

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