2 of 19

Write now Article Tools

. Gingerbread and ginger ale are the most commonly consumed forms of the spice called ginger. However ginger is also an herb with medicinal purposes and qualities. Among the conditions that ginger root extract is used to treat are grogginess, nausea, body aches, sinus conditions, and many other conditions which trouble people from time to time.

What is ginger root extract?

It is made from ginger, which is most commonly used for cooking and baking. Two other spices are closely related to ginger, they are Marjoram and Tumeric which are used also in cooking to ad a touch of heat and/or lemon-flavoring to food. Many people have consumed ginger in ginger snap cookies, in holiday beverages such as egg nogg and spiced rum as well as mulled wine, the most commonly used product that it is found in is ginger ale which is well known to help to settle an upset stomach.

How does ginger root extract work?
Both as a culinary and medicinal spice, ginger was used in ancient India,China, Rome, and Greece. Ginger has been administered in multiple forms from pills, to hot teas, crystallized, in candy form and even dehydrated in a taffylike candy. Ginger root is used to alleviate nausea, inflammation in joints and in muscles, muscle aches, for the relief of allergy symptoms, and relief of flatulence. Ginger is a very popular homeopathic treatment for easing digestive upset simply because of it's action in neutralizing acides and increasing digestive fluids. Often seasickness can be cured or relieved somewhat to make a sea faring trip more comfortable with the usage of ginger, as well as morning sickness, nausea brought on by chemotherapy or postoperative nausea, stomach aches and other minor digestive complaints. There are also medical stucies that have shown a positive correlation between the use of ginger and decrease in nausea regardless of cause. It does this by neutralizing excess acid in the digestive tract, thus calming the stomach upset.
Ginger has also been clinically shown to relieve minor to sever inflammation of the joints caused by arthritis. It has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Allergy and cold symptom sufferers have also found relief in the usage of a gram of powdered ginger root extract per day. Arthritis sufferers are not alone in getting relief from symptoms of their conditions, muscle aches and other types of chronic pain can also be calmed with the use of ginger. Also excessive flatulence can be treated with either fresh ginger or powdered ginger supplements.

What is the best way to get the best from usage of ginger in my diet?

There is no RDA or Recommended Daily Allowance guidelines for the use of ginger because it is not considered an essential nutrient. However the general recommendations for both digestive disorders and for relief of inflammation and pain are 100-200mg of ginger root extract in pill form, 1-2 grams of fresh powdered ginger, or a fresh inch piece. Also ginger can be used in tea form, and will deliver the same wonderful results. You can purchase pre-packaged ginger tea bags from almost any grocery store or health food store, or you can make tea by steeping ginger root (grated) in hot water.Ginger should always be taken with food regardless of which delivery system you choose , to avoid stomach irritation. Regardless of which method of delivery that you plan to employ ginger has multiple positive uses that are beneficial to a great number of people, and have been since before the birth of Christ.

Learn more about this author, Shayd of thedesert.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Today's alternative therapies: Returning to medicine's historical roots?
We want to hear your view. Write now!