The ginger-turmeric-curcumin mystique

(Part II)

Many people are familiar with ginger as a food spice and flavoring agent. A few others know also that ginger is used in cosmetics and for fragrance in soaps. Today, ginger is more appreciated and recognized as a health food with awesome and wide-ranging health benefits – and not just an ingredient for our dishes and our cosmetics.

Let me share some interesting and revealing information about ginger, about turmeric (another powerful medicine herb belonging to the ginger family) and the popular curcumin, one of the healing compounds of turmeric. (References: Internet reports and other publications on herbal remedies/products)

•Do you know that ginger is one of the most famous natural home cure for cough, for sore throat and also for toothache;

•Do you know that ginger can treat many forms of nausea especially morning sickness. For one, it relieves nausea and vomiting after surgery and also cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Effective too, in pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness as well as sea sickness. As a precaution, taking any herb or medication during pregnancy should be done only after consultation and advice of a doctor. Some clinical research show that taking 1 to 1.5 grams of ginger one hour before surgery may also reduce nausea and vomiting during the first 24 hours after surgery. In the case of nausea and vomiting caused by HIV/ AIDS treatment, taking ginger daily 30 minutes before each dose of antiretroviral treatment for 14 days reduces the risk of nausea and vomiting;

•Do you know that ginger has antiinflammatory properties that can relieve pain suffered by people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is a common health problem especially of senior citizens who suffer from joint pain and stiffness because of the degeneration of the joints of the body. Ginger extract or consuming two (2) grams of ginger per day for at least 11 days reduces pain especially exercises-induced muscle pain;

•Do you know that ginger powder may significantly reduce menstrual pain (known as dysmenorrhea) in women;

•Do you know that ginger helps treat chronic indigestion (upset stomach known as dyspepsia) which is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach. It is believed that delayed emptying of the stomach is a major cause of indigestion. Ginger has been shown to speed up emptying of the stomach in people with dyspepsia. In one study of 24 healthy people, 1.2 grams of ginger powder before a meal speeds up the emptying of the stomach by fifty (50) percent;

•Do you know that gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger can help lower the risk of bacterial infection by inhibiting the growth of many kinds of bacteria. In a study published in 2011 by the Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobials, it was shown that the ability of ginger to kill staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pyogenes (2 common bacteria in hospitals that often caused complications to a patient) was compared with the conventional antibiotics (like chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and tetracycline). Ginger won over the antibiotics;

•Do you know that ginger is very effective against the oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums such as gingivitis and periodontitis; used as medicine are raw ginger (sliced) or homemade vegetable juice. For example, raw ginger is rubbed into the gums as a home remedy for toothache. Ginger tea is also used to relieve nausea to relax the body or to settle the stomach; or break up phlegm in congestion. One to two cups three times a day (with honey and

•Do you know that as a precaution, it is advisable that if we go to the hospital as a patient or to visit a friend – we should rub our body with some ginger essential oil mixed with a couple of drops of water to lessen the chance of our being contaminated with the dangerous staph infection in the hospital;

•Do you know that ginger is a powerful cure for fungal infection. Fungal infections are resistant to conventional medicine but not for ginger. Fungal infections don’t stand a chance against ginger. A powerful cure for fungal infection is to apply up to three times a day a mixture of pure ginger essential oil with tea tree oil with one teaspoon of coconut oil;

•Do you know that ginger can also cure stomach ulcers. In a study published in the Journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, it was shown that ginger was six to eight times more potent than Prevacid, a drug used to treat ulcer;

•Do you know that 6-gingerol is a substance that is found in large amount in raw ginger;

•Do you know that ginger may enhance brain function directly. Some studies suggest that ginger can protect against age-related damage to the brain and can also improve brain function in elderly women like improving reaction time and working memory.

•Do you know that while ginger is shown to have awesome health benefits, there are however some precautions to be considered – like (a) interaction with other medications for high blood pressure and heart disease as well as some ginger side effects like heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort and irritation of the skin and bleeding; (c) taking high dosage of ginger. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor if one is taking some traditional/chemical medication together with ginger. An example is taking ginger along with medications for blood pressure and heart disease. The simultaneous use of ginger and chemical medication for high blood pressure might cause one’s blood pressure to drop to low or an irregular heart beat;

•Do you know that the most potent form of ginger being used as medicine is ginger essential oil because it contains the highest levels of gingerol. It can be taken internally or rubbed topically. Two to three drops of essential oil is the recommended therapeutic dose;

•Do you know that other common forms of ginger lemon) will reduce inflammation/cough. Finally, ginger powder is used for cooking and ginger capsule with a recommended dose of 1,000 milligrams daily is gaining popularity. (To be continued)

Have a joyful day! (For comments/ reactions please send to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: villafuerte_nelly@yahoo.com).