Medicinal Properties and Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger is used as spice and herbal medicine. It adds flavour to sweet and savory foods and has a range of health benefits. It can be used as fresh, dried powdered and as an oil or juice.
Here are some of health benefits of Ginger.
1. Has potent medicinal properties:
The unique flavor and fregence of Ginger is due to natural oils found in ginger . Gingerol is the most important oil of ginger. It is the main bioactive compound in ginger and is responsible for many medicinal properties of ginger.
Gingerol has a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and effects.
2. Can treat nausea:
Ginger may be effective against nausea including pregnancy related nausea, nausea due to virtigo, chemotherapy related nausea and nausea and vomiting for people undergoing surgery.
3. Improves digestion and reduces gasses:
Many researches indicate that enzymes present in ginger may expel the gasses form in intestinal tact during digestion and thus provide relief from discomfort . Ginger also have beneficial effect on pancreatic enzyme lipase which aids digestion in small intestine.
4. UseSupports the immune system:
Many people use ginger to treat common cold and flu, researches have indicated that fresh ginger may protect respiratory system from respiratory viruses.
Ginger also possesses anti bacterial and anti fungal properties.
5. May help reduce cancer risk:
Having Gingerol and other anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, ginger may have anticancer properties.
6. May help lower cholesterol levels:
Researchers found that ginger consumption significantly reduces LDL and triglycerides while increasing HDL.
7. May helpful treating osteoarthritis:
Having anti-inflammatory property, ginger may help reduce pain and disability in osteoarthritis.
8. May improve brain function:
Researchers have suggested that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses in brain and thus may prevent cognitive decline( in simple words cognitive decline is age related decline in memory, reasoning, relating and thinking)
Researches have also indicated that ginger may help prevent degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease
9. May play a role in weight loss :
According to studies and researches, ginger may play role in weight loss. Gingers ability to reduce weight may be due to mechanisms, like its potential to reduce inflammation.
10. May treat infections : Ginger has antibacterial and antifungal properties which make ginger very active to fight against bacterial and fungal infections.