01/06/2025
Jammin’ on Ginger
By Marhea Fay
January 4th 2025
During this time of the season we have seen a rise in respiratory issues, particularly pneumonia. I've personally seen it among the younger children and a stance from the pediatrician's office was, “You're just going to have to deal with a cough for 4 to 6 weeks.”
No.
My stance is to always go after the root cause and continuously work on things. However, as a society it can only benefit us to be in the mindset that we should not allow chronic health conditions to last well over a month, if possible.
When it comes to your health any person who's ever been in the field of medicine can tell you the longer it takes to respond to something the harder it will be for the person to heal their body.
If you have poor reaction time to emergency services and do not perform basic life-saving skills, that person will die.
I know so many people in my life who just “live with” an issue, pain, debilitating disease.
I bet it wouldn't take you long to think of more than three people who match that description as well.
This is where adding a bit of fresh ginger root into your diet might be of benefit and important to you if experiencing respiratory issues or ailments, nausea/vomiting, joint stiffness, inflammation, or even a heart condition.
Ginger by definition is a strong, spicy, warming, sweet flavor.
It has this really wonderful ability to positively affect the structural, circulatory, and digestive system (Pederson p.98). So much so that Israeli researchers recorded standardized ginger extract has a dramatic effect on cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol levels. (Balch p. 233)
Which was even more fascinating yet, it prevented the overall oxidation of LDL (remembering that oxidation creates free radicals which cause cancer, we see free radicals show up from stress, poor nutrition, smoking etc.) specifically, oxidation of LDL when it comes to cardiovascular health deposits cholesterol onto the arterial walls (Balch p.233). Which we can all recognize as an issue that can lead to heart attacks.
So because it has been noted ginger has this ability to move through the bloodstream, it's a warming herb, therefore it helps with circulatory issues of maintaining heat and movement. The bloodstream reaches into the joint system of the body. Ginger is now in the joints effectively creating heat and movement and the fact that it's anti-inflammatory to boot it's aiding in pain management, repairing, and maintenance. Research done at Denmark's Odense University did a study for those who suffered with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis got relief from pain and swelling after taking ginger daily for at least 3 months (Balch p.150). It will be interesting to see what benefits are found when a person consumes ginger, as well as applies it on topically via baths or ointments.
Ginger is so strong as a fresh root that it destroys bacteria and viruses, specifically Ginger can destroy salmonella which causes food poisoning and due to a chemical called zingibain it can also dissolve parasites and their eggs (Balch p. 150).
Ginger is a stimulant-aromatic herb, meaning they contain volatile oils, affecting the respiratory system (Pederson p. 8 ). It has the ability to dry out, and reduce the fluid build up during illness.
Key nutrients and ginger include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, folate,fiber. Phytochemicals including phytosterols, limonene, 1,8-cineole, gingerol, alpha-pinene, beta-carotene, beta-ionone, capsaicin, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, geraniol, kaempferol, linalol, myrcetin, myristic acid, P-courmaric acid, quercetin, vanilllic acid, and vanillin (Balch p. 150.)
Getting to the short, sweet, and spicy of it, this little root packs a punch! Ginger can warm the body, provide movement in the bloodstream, destruction of bacteria and viruses, and provides anti-inflammatory relief in the stomach and joints which allows for an overall reduction of fluid build-up when sick.
Remember, always speak with your medical care team when making dietary changes especially when on anticoagulant medication, because ginger could continue to thin the blood with the prescription (Balch p.150).
Citation
Balch, Phyllis A. CNC. Prescription Dietary Wellness. (p.150. p.233) 2nd Edition. Penguin Group Inc. 2003.
Pederson, Mark. Nutritional Herbology: A reference guide to herbs. (p.8. p.98-99)9th Edition. Whitman Publications. 2012.
