Ginger | Benefits Beyond Metabolism

Ginger is one of the most well documented medicinal plants on the planet. Greek and Chinese records reach back over 5000 years harping on the magic and application of this little root.

Ginger was so revered by the Roman Empire that during the middle ages, a pound of ginger cost about the same amount as a full grown sheep!

Traditional uses of the plant were mostly for digestive aid and immune boosting qualities. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are mainly caused by Gingerol, one of 115 bioactive chemicals components found in the ginger root.

Currently, ginger is still widely known and used as a stomach soother (I’m sure most of us have a memory of drinking Ginger Ale as a kid when we could not get anything else down!).

Ginger is also widely used as a metabolism booster. Ginger has a thermogenic effect, meaning it creates heat within the body, and can potentially increase metabolism without the addition of calories, making it a common supplement in weight management programs.

But beyond the belly, what else can ginger do?

Ginger and Inflammation and Pain

Arguably the most powerful benefit of ginger is its ability to reduce inflammation, which we know know is the root of most chronic diseases.

The reduction of inflammation can not only aid the in prevention, reduction or even reversal of many common conditions over time, it has an immediate soothing effect on physical discomfort and pain of inflammatory related conditions.

In fact, a study published in The Journal of Arthritis found that a small amount of daily ginger is more effective at reducing pain and inflammation than prescription painkillers recommended by most modern doctors.

As the ginger works to reduce systemic inflammation, gingerol acts on our sensory nerve endings, specifically receptors called vanilloid receptors, which directly affect the pain pathways within minutes.

The presence of systemic inflammation can show up with irritating symptoms like poor digestion, skin blemishes, eczema or acne, arthritis, macular degeneration or dry eyes. It can also show up in more serious ways if left unaddressed like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

So is ginger some kind of forgotten miracle cure-all? Probably not. However, it has much more powerful applications than halting a stomach ache.

A daily dosage on ginger can help reduce and prevent chronic inflammation, which may keep us happy and healthy for the long run.

How To Get Your Ginger In

A daily dosage of ginger can help keep our body tuned up for everyday life, as well as help protect of from more serious diseases linked to inflammatory forming in the future.

Here are the best ways to get your ginger boost everyday:

Raw Ginger – This can be grated, pickled or (our favorite) juiced!

Ginger Tea – This can be made fresh or store bought.

Ginger Powder – These usually come in capsule form and can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Ginger Oil – Essential oils can be formed from ginger root as concentrates and can be added to water or diffusers.