GINGER ( Zingiber officinale) - Why I am so excited about this particular plant?
The health benefits of ginger are so numerous and diverse no one should be without either a plant in their garden or some dried root or powdered root in their kitchen cupboard.
Rather than wait to get ill I make sure to include it in my diet in one form or another virtually daily. It works wonderfully in so many recipes of a sweet or savory nature but one of my absolute favorite go to daily treats is ginger, turmeric and lemon tea sweetened with honey. Quite frankly those four ingredients alone, taken daily will keep you pretty much in perfect health!
So what are the health benefits of ginger? It would almost be easier to ask what ISNT it good for. It treats all the most common health issues.
Ginger for headaches and migraine
It works very successfully for both... no side affects.
Pharmaceutical for headaches and migraine
side affects are dizziness, vertigo, drowsiness and heartburn.
Ginger for muscle pain. Works excellently and no side effects.
Pharmaceuticals for muscle pain.
Side effects can include fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloody stools, hallucinations, seizures, headache, ringing in the ears and more!
Ginger for menstrual pain is very effective and has no side effects.
Pharmaceuticals for menstrual pain have numerous side effects such as dizziness, nervousness, vomiting, heartburn, itching skin, rashes, upset stomachs, diarrhea, ringing in your ears and bloating.
Ginger is proven to improve brain function and protect against age related problems and Alzheimer’s with no side effects.
Pharmaceuticals for improved brain function create side effects that include insomnia, headaches, nausea, anxiety, heart palpitations and hypertension.
Ginger to combat the side effects of the contraceptive pill.
The contraceptive pill sadly has numerous dire side effects for the many women who find no adequate safe alternative form of contraception and take the pill for many years.
Side effects of taking the contraceptive pill are : depression, headaches, inflammation, migraine, breast tenderness, weight gain and decreased libido.
Ginger taken regularly is a natural way to combat most of these side effects safely and effectively.
The easiest and most delicious way to incorporate ginger into your every day diet is to make a refreshing and delicious drink with it. This can be made in quantity once a week and stores well in the refrigerator. It can be enjoyed equally hot or cold too depending on your preference.
Ginger is an incredible health aid in itself but to add turmeric into the equation at this point just boosts the health benefits and detox properties through the roof!! It could be turmeric powder or fresh turmeric root. If using powder ensure it is from an organic source.
Turmeric has all those amazing properties of ginger and also thins bile which speeds up the detoxification process.
Ginger and Turmeric Tea
2 cups of boiling water
2 inches of fresh ginger root or 1 teaspoon of ginger powder
1 inch fresh turmeric root or a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder
Juice of one lemon
Honey to taste
This is the most basic list of ingredients and on their own are extremely delicious but variations can also be enjoyed such as adding a little cinnamon and or coconut or other nutmilk.
Simmer the spices gently in the water for around twenty minutes. Remove from the heat and add honey and lemon after about 10 minutes when it starts to cool a little.
Sipping this drink hot is an amazing tonic against oncoming colds and influenza as well as all the other benefits listed above and on a hot summer day drinking it chilled over ice is cooling and revitalizing!
More water can be added to dilute a little more if you find the flavour too spicy but personally I love it with a full spicy flavor and a few good spoonfuls of honey. It tastes like it’s doing you good the moment you swallow it- and it is!!
For me it is the most delicious, healing, detoxifying, strengthening, rejuvenating and all round tonic there is.
I hope you will discover these amazing benefits for yourself, and cut down as much as possible on pharmaceuticals. I know it’s not always possible to avoid them but you can do you self a huge favor by incorporating this health drink into every day life to be healthier and happier.
Puravida