Ginger - beneficial properties, uses, treatment, recipes. How to use juicy ginger root for food and treatment

The scope of application of ginger root is multifaceted. It is used in cooking, in demand in medicine and cosmetology, as well as ginger tea is an excellent remedy in the fight against excess weight.

What beneficial properties does ginger root have?

The beneficial properties of ginger root are due to its content of aluminum, asparagine, caprylic acid, calcium, choline, chromium, germanium, iron, linoleic, nicotinic and oleic acids, magnesium, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins B1, B2, B3 and A. In addition, ginger contains essential amino acids: methionine, threonine, tryptophan, valine and phenylalanine. Ginger root contains essential oil (1–3%), due to which it has a tart and spicy aroma.

Beneficial properties of ginger root

Ginger root is known for its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, tonic, analgesic and healing effects. It also helps facilitate the digestion of food, normalize the secretion of digestive juices, eliminate flatulence, dysbacteriosis and cleanse the body of toxins.

Due to its beneficial properties, ginger root is used to treat many diseases. It helps with sore throat, acute respiratory infections and cough. And grated ginger is an excellent remedy for rheumatism, dizziness, and also food poisoning accompanied by severe nausea.

Known beneficial features ginger root and women's health. It helps to cope well with menstrual cramps and normalizes the functioning of the genital area. In addition, ginger root has a beneficial effect on the skin, giving it firmness and elasticity. Ginger masks are excellent at combating age-related changes skin, nourish, moisturize and tone it. At home cosmetics ginger root goes well with honey, lemon juice and olive oil.

Due to its beneficial properties, ginger root is famous as a means for weight loss. To get rid of extra pounds, you need to drink daily. Its preparation is not difficult. You need to chop a piece of root (2-3 centimeters), pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew for 20-30 minutes. If desired, you can add a slice of lemon or a little honey to the finished tea. This drink helps cleanse the body and speed up metabolic processes.

To relieve toothache, just chew a small piece. ginger root or apply it to a sore spot. And to relax and recuperate after a hard time working day Just take a ginger bath.

To get rid of back pain, you need to prepare a compress. To do this, you need to take 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of chili pepper and a little turmeric. Mix all ingredients with warm water to a mushy state. Now this product needs to be applied to the fabric, placed on the problem area and firmly fixed. Hold within 30 minutes.

Contraindications to the use of ginger root

Despite all the beneficial properties, ginger root also has contraindications for use. Do not take it for diverticulitis, diverticulosis, pregnancy, lactation, gallstones, severe fever, duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal diseases, esophageal reflux and nonspecific ulcerative colitis. In addition, sometimes ginger root can cause allergic reactions in the form of itching, rashes and urticaria. At sensitive skin You should avoid using ginger essential oil.

Ginger roots are an excellent seasoning for meat and fish dishes, an addition to the culinary delights of Japan's national cuisine, and also widely known healing agent. How to eat ginger? How the best way take advantage of it medicinal properties?

The benefits of ginger root are due to its composition and the presence of a variety of vitamins, organic acids and bitterness. Ginger pulp contains calcium and iron, chromium and magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and silicon. It is rich in fiber and essential oils, phytoncides and other highly active compounds that have an effective effect on the body.

Medicinal properties of ginger

Today ginger is recognized as both folk and traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, anesthetic agent.

Ginger as a medicine is actively used for inflammatory diseases throat and nasopharynx, for colds, viral infections. In this case, a decoction or tea based on the healing root:

will help relieve pain and discomfort when swallowing;
stimulates the discharge of sputum;
will have a mild antibacterial effect.

The benefits of ginger don't stop there. It has the power to warm and relieve chills, cause intense sweating and, thereby, reduce fever. Lemon is added to tea, which enhances the beneficial properties of the root. Ginger tea strengthens the immune system, tones and creates a good supply of strength to resist seasonal diseases.

Why do you eat ginger? WITH medicinal purposes the root is used to activate the digestion process, increase appetite and produce gastric juice, which is especially important if a person suffers from gastritis with low acidity, flatulence, dysbacteriosis.

Since ginger contains a lot active substances, then products based on such plant raw materials can not only bring benefits, but also cause unwanted reactions, for example, exacerbation of chronic diseases or allergic reactions.

To prevent this from happening, before taking ginger, be it tea, spicy seasoning, dry powder or plant-based sauce, you need to consult a specialist. The doctor will tell you safe dose and protect you from possible troubles.

Ginger spread throughout the world from the East. Dishes, seasonings, and drinks made from the succulent root can be found in the traditional cuisine of the peoples of China, Korea, Vietnam and, especially, Japan. Not only do the indigenous populations of the countries of southern and south-east Asia actively use ginger as food, a miraculous root in dried and fresh used for the preparation of traditional medicine.

If in its homeland ginger is most often included in sauces or marinades, pickled or infused for the preparation of cold and hot drinks, then in the Old World the plant had a different fate.

How did our ancestors use ginger? The root brought to Europe, oddly enough, did not become a seasoning for meat, but, together with cardamom, cloves and other strange spices, began to be used to flavor gingerbread cookies, gingerbread cookies and other confectionery. In the countries of central and northern Europe, the warming properties of ginger gradually began to be used. People have learned not only to infuse and boil the roots, but also to add them to beer and other alcoholic drinks.

How is ginger root used today?

Thanks to the establishment of connections between peoples and the information revolution, the use of ginger in cooking has become incredibly widespread. Today, ginger improves the taste not only of baked goods, confectionery and drinks, but also of all kinds of soups, cereal and vegetable dishes, roasts and sausages.

The traditional Japanese way of eating ginger, pickled with rice vinegar, salt and sugar, has also taken root. What do you eat pickled ginger with? In the Land of the Rising Sun, pickled pieces of ginger root are served with sushi, sashimi and other seafood dishes, as well as rice and stewed vegetables. In Europe and the Americas, this custom was adopted along with the popular sushi today.

But besides this, pickled ginger goes well with:

with baked or fried salmon and other fatty fish;
any meat and poultry;
rice dishes with or mushrooms.

Not only is ginger root used as a tasty and healthy independent seasoning, but when crushed it is also used in marinades for meat and fish. As a result, finished dishes, thanks to the properties of the root, become softer, juicier, and more aromatic. The classic marinade in this case is made on the basis soy sauce, wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and other spices. Ginger is added to the mixture in crushed form.

There are many recipes on how to use ginger with pleasure and benefit. The leaders in popularity are considered to be refreshing, invigorating and warming drinks based on an amazing root:

To all followers healthy image in life, those who want to lose weight and strengthen the immune system are well acquainted with tea with ginger, honey and. It is drunk both hot and chilled. In the latter case, the drink can be served with ice and mint.
Chopped fresh root will add piquancy to punch, beer, and liqueurs. Bitters are made from ginger.
If the gourmet prefers soft drinks, then he should try hot tea, to which, in addition to ginger root, cardamom, orange zest, cloves and cinnamon are added. An original and very invigorating replacement for the famous mulled wine.

Ginger is a universal seasoning. It easily combines with almost any product, which opens up vast horizons for the most daring cook.

The value of the root is added by the fact that ginger can also be used as an original food supplement, and as a seasoning, as well as a medicinal product
.

After heat treatment and when pickled, ginger loses its characteristic scorching pungency, its taste becomes softer. But at the same time, you need to remember that you are partially lost, because high temperatures and vinegar marinade destroy vitamins, change mineral composition product.

If it is not possible to use fresh root for culinary and health purposes, you can find already dried and crushed ginger. It stores more useful substances than in the marinade, but the aroma of such a seasoning is not so bright.

How to take ginger - video

More was known about the medicinal properties and benefits of ginger 2.5 thousand years ago. The first mentions are found in letters holy quran and in the Arabic stories of the Book of One Thousand and One Nights.

Important! IN Ancient India in Sanskrit it was called “vishvabhesaj”, which means “universal remedy”.

Useful properties and treatment

Having a number of beneficial properties, ginger root is used as remedy for many diseases, as well as for preventive purposes. So, what are the benefits of ginger?

Ginger contains beneficial substances strengthening the walls of blood vessels and normalizing blood circulation (especially cerebral). Cleanses circulatory system from atherosclerotic plaques and serves as a prevention of atherosclerosis. Useful for venous insufficiency and varicose veins lower limbs, because the thins the blood, and prevents it from quickly coagulating.
Spice consumption strengthens nervous system . Useful substances help cope with depression, worries and anxiety, and relieve headache attacks. Chinese wrestlers are known to use the spice to restore physical strength.
Seasoning is useful For digestive system . If you add it during cooking, food will be better digested and absorbed by the body due to the good production of gastric juice. Nutritionists sometimes include it in menus designed for people with overweight, slow metabolism (if there are no contraindications).
Works well on genitourinary system . Can be used by men as a natural, powerful aphrodisiac. Women use it as an anti-inflammatory agent for kidney diseases and Bladder, and during menstrual cycle to relieve pain and spasms of the uterus.
Ginger is good for strengthening the immune system. During colds and flu it acts as a diaphoretic, bactericidal, antibacterial agent. Copes well with coughs by stimulating expectoration. By the way, thanks to these properties it is also recommended for people with bronchial asthma.

Chemical composition and medicinal substances of the root

The plant contains a number of vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain beauty and health: caprylic acid, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chrome and others.

Just 100 grams of product contains up to 180-200 mg of magnesium, 116-120 mg of calcium, 5-6 mg of vitamin B3, 148 mg of phosphorus, and this is only a small part of the useful substances!

Attention! By the way, we feel the unique tart aroma of the root because it contains up to 3% essential oil.

In the Chinese province it is widespread and is produced for industrial purposes And free sale. The oil contains: citral, fat, gingerin, camphene, linalool, phellandrene, bisabolene, starch and other substances.

It is especially rich zingiberene(up to 75% of the total composition), thanks to which the spice has become so fragrant, and the burning taste is achieved due to great content gingerol.

Medicinal properties and use in folk medicine

Ginger serves as the main component for preparing a variety of health products. Almost all recipes were invented by people back in the old days and were included in folk remedies, proven by generations.

Let's get acquainted with famous recipes:

During colds It is useful to take ginger tea made from fresh ginger root (pre-grated), a slice of lemon and a teaspoon of linden honey. A fragrant drink will give you strength and quickly get you back on your feet.
For treatment with ginger arthritis and arthrosis You can apply special compresses to problem areas, prepared from 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger, half a spoon of ground hot pepper, turmeric and a little sesame oil. The compress warms up perfectly and relieves pain. Before use, it is heated in a water bath and applied warm.
In Rus' they treated cough natural sweets made from a glass of honey and 1 teaspoon of fresh root. The components were placed in a container and placed on fire. When the mixture warmed up and turned into a homogeneous mass, it was removed from the heat, cooled and small oval sweets were molded. If you take them regularly, you can get rid of your annoying cough in just a few days.
During sore throat Gargling with a decoction of spicy powder and 200 ml of water is useful. You can alternate with rinsing with chamomile infusion.
IN dietetics Regular ginger tea is beneficial. It is better to brew it from large green tea leaves and pieces of fresh root. He has amazing properties normalize digestion, remove toxins, reduce cholesterol, break down fats, remove excess water and speed up metabolism. The most popular tea for weight loss is prepared from the juice of 2 lemons, 300 ml of boiling water, 2 teaspoons of honey and grated ginger. The drink is brought to a boil and consumed hot.

Application in cosmetology and healing properties

The plant has a positive effect on hair health, facial skin and body condition.

Get rid of acne You can use a lotion prepared at home from ginger juice and water. The skin will become clean, smooth and elastic.
For wound healing, abrasions, small ulcers, you can apply cotton wool soaked fresh juice or mush. The compress restores skin, disinfects, prevents the spread of bacteria and infection.
To give skin elasticity use a lotion made from the juice of the plant and pomegranate. It wonderfully refreshes, tones, smoothes out fine wrinkles, and removes signs of fatigue on the face.
Restore dry, damaged, brittle hair A special mask made from ground spices, honey and beaten yolk will help. Soak the hair in the resulting mixture, wrap the head in film, wrap it in a towel and leave for 20-30 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
For facial skin rejuvenation You can apply a mask of a quarter glass of mint, a glass of spinach, 2 tablespoons of honey, mashed banana and chopped ginger root. Keep the mask for up to 15-20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Attention! Before use natural remedies, be sure to apply a small amount of plant juice or paste to a small area of skin to see if there is an allergy or not. In some cases, ginger may cause allergic reactions upon contact with the skin.

Harm during use

Despite the fact that the plant has unique medicinal properties, its use in medicine and cosmetology is not suitable for all people. Sometimes consuming ginger root is harmful. Is ginger harmful?

Contraindications and side effects

Important! Be sure to pay attention to them to avoid unpleasant consequences. Experts recommend not to get carried away with traditional medicine on your own and to consult with your doctor before starting to use various remedies.

Allergy

It's not that rare. Before use, make sure that the body reacts normally to it and there are no side effects.

Symptoms

Main symptoms of ginger allergy:

Nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing;
swelling of the face or redness;
inflammation of the throat mucosa, itching in the mouth, swelling of the tongue;
skin rashes (urticaria), itchy skin, dermatitis;
flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;
Quincke's edema.

Attention! At the first sign of an allergy, it is recommended to take antihistamines and stop using ginger. IN difficult situations Consult a doctor, especially if there is swelling of the face and a feeling of shortness of breath. Quincke's edema is very dangerous condition, which often leads to suffocation. Immediate ambulance is required.

In the video, doctors explain the beneficial properties and contraindications of ginger root:

Ginger has been excellent since time immemorial medicinal means. It contains a number of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to promote and maintain good health.

It is widely used in folk medicine , cooking, cosmetology. Products based on this plant have been tested by more than one generation.

But, like any product, sometimes this spice causes allergies, and for some people due to contraindications It is not recommended to use ginger at all.

Be sure to consult with a specialist before using it, do not get carried away self-treatment so as not to harm the body. Be healthy!