Ginger has health benefits that go beyond helping us shake those irritating coughs and sniffles, and the Chinese have know about them for centuries:
Prevent Nausea
Ginger is great at preventing or relieving nausea—whether it be from motion sickness or morning sickness. Drinking a cup of ginger tea or taking ginger tablets will help settle your stomach.
Assist Asthma Patients
A study from Columbia University showed that ginger improved the effectiveness of common asthma medications. Ginger worked synergistically with the medications in relaxing the bronchial tubes (the tubes that carry air into and out of our lungs) and allowing patients to breathe easier quicker.
Anti-inflammatory
Ginger contains a powerful compound called gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory properties. This supports some of the more common medicinal uses of ginger, such as; for reducing muscle pain, help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis, and help lung function when you have a respiratory illness.
Fights Infections
Gingerol also actively fights infections and can inhibit the growth of a number of types of bacteria. It is especially effective against the oral bacteria that are connected to diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Reduces Menstrual Pain
Reducing menstrual pain is one of the traditional uses of ginger, but a small study has suggested that if ginger is consumed at the beginning of the menstrual period it can reduce pain as effectively as some common pain medications.
