More About Ginger Health Benefits - Includes Topical or External Ginger Uses

This article elaborates on some specific ginger health benefits, as well as touches on the topical or external uses of ginger root.

More information on and a more comprehensive listing of the various health benefits of ginger are provided in another related ginger article.

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is popularly used to treat conditions like indigestion, nausea, vomiting, sore throats, the common cold, headache, fevers, flu symptoms, rheumatism, and motion sickness; to improve appetite; and to reduce gall stones.

Ginger has certain chemical substances which reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as blood thinners, and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It also helps to alleviate hypertension.

Common Cold, Sore Throat, Sinus Problems

Drinking ginger tea, 3-4 times a day, can provide relief from the common cold and sore throats.

Headaches and Toothaches

Ginger paste applied externally to the temple region provides relief from headaches and the same is applicable to treat toothaches also.

Menstrual Cramps

Women have experienced relief from menstrual cramps after taking ginger root tea.

Motion Sickness / Nausea

This is perhaps the most famous of the numerous ginger health benefits.

Ginger pills or capsules help provide relief from motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. Sailors have found this to be very effective and ginger is now being used by people who travel long distances by buses, cars, trains, etc.

It has also been found to be very effective in treating pregnancy induced nausea or morning sickness.

One thing to note about this particular ginger health benefit - ginger does not work on the centers of the brain to reduce the symptoms of nausea, but directly on the stomach to decrease nausea and vomiting.

Indigestion and Digestive Conditions / Ailments

Another popular ginger health benefit, related to the previous one, is its effectiveness against digestive ailments.

People recommend ginger for upset stomach mainly because ginger contains certain chemical properties that stimulate the pancreas to secrete certain enzymes which aid digestion.

The anti-bacterial properties of ginger also help in providing relief from bacterial infections of the stomach. This property of ginger provides relief from diarrhea, too.

Ginger provides protection to the digestive system by increasing the pH of gastric acids and decreasing the level of acidity in the stomach. This in turn reduces the amount and rate of gastric secretion and increases the activity of digestive enzymes, thus helping digestion.

Gastritis and Ulcers

Ginger has anti-bacterial properties and is used in treating conditions like gastritis and infections caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

Ginger has the ability to neutralize the secretion of certain gastric acids which could possibly cause ulcers and hence is effective in preventing or reducing ulcer formation in the stomach.

External or Topical Ginger Uses and Benefits

Some ginger health benefits can also be reaped externally, where it can be used to treat abdominal cramps, joint stiffness, skin burns and inflammations and toothaches.

Ginger compresses are also used topically to treat gout, headaches, menstrual cramps, muscular stiffness and aches, sinus congestion, spinal pain, stomach cramps and swollen glands.

In addition, ginger oil or ginger essential oils can also be used externally to alleviate rheumatism. In Japan, massages using ginger oil is a traditional treatment for joint and spinal problems.

Finally, a warm ginger footbath is said to be able to invigorate the entire body.

Some of these external health benefits of ginger are discussed in more detail.

Arthritis and Rheumatism

One external ginger health benefit is that it has certain anti-inflammatory properties which provide pain relief from rheumatoid arthritis.

Muscle Strains

Ginger paste mixed with turmeric and applied gently in very small doses twice everyday provides relief from muscle strains.

Fungal Infections

Ginger is famous for its anti-fungal properties and is commonly used to treat conditions like athletes foot.

Add ginger to some lukewarm water, allow it to cool, and then immerse your feet in it for about 5-10 minutes. Ginger will help provide relief from the burning and itching symptoms of infection.

Natural Breath Freshener for Bad Breath

Chewing on tiny pieces of ginger helps relieve bad breath and also reduces excessive sweating.

Conclusion

There are indeed many health benefits of ginger consumption and ginger use. In alternative medicine ginger is often used because of these properties. The many ginger health benefits also make the herb an important part of one's herbal armory.

Ginger Pages | Ginger Plants - History and Information | How To Grow Ginger - Growing and Storing Ginger | Obtaining the Benefits of Ginger - Methods of Use | Health Benefits of Ginger | More About Ginger Health Benefits - Includes Topical or External Ginger Uses | How Ginger Benefits Health - Discussion on Ginger Research and Studies | Possible Ginger Side Effects, Contraindications and Caution

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