Ginger is a natural spice and is known world wide for its smell and pungent taste. Ginger has been used by Chinese herbalists for more than 2,500 years as flavouring in food and also as a medicine.
Gated ginger root mixed with diluted lime juice can help to soothe the digestive tract and reduce flatulence. It can be made into oil and used to massage areas of localised chronic pain. It can also be taken in an extract form to reduce inflammation.
When choosing a ginger supplement it is essential to choose ones that contain ginger's pungent compounds. These are gingerols and shogaols and are the ginger plant's active ingredients.
Ginger can be used in extract pill form and the dosage for this is 100 to 200mg up to three times a day. Fresh powdered ginger should be taken three times a day ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon. Fresh ginger root can be eaten every four hours but no more than three times a day and should be approximately ½ inch and peeled. Ginger tea which now comes prepackaged can be taken several times a day. Crystallised ginger can be taken twice a day.
With such a wide range ginger products available and with the ever increasing benefits of ginger being discovered ginger or a product of ginger is something that everyone should have in their homes.
Additional Information
In additional to the many benefits it is also good to know that there are no known drug side effects. Ginger does not interact with any other nutrients or drugs in the body and ginger in all forms is very safe to take.
Ginger capsules should be taken with a full glass of water or fluid. Ginger can be taken the day after surgery to prevent post surgery nausea but should be stopped at least three to four days prior to surgery, due to the fact that it can make blood platelets less sticky and therefore increases the risk of bleeding. For people undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy, ginger taken with food can help reduce stomach irritation.
There are, however, some cautions that have been recommended. These include not taking ginger for more than the first two months of pregnancy and no more than 250mg four times a day. People with gallstones should consult their doctors prior to taking ginger as it is know to increase bile flow.
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