The Health Benefits of Ginger Juice

The History of Ginger

It helps that it tastes great but is one of the most amazing herbs that you can consume for your health. Whether you enjoy a cup of drink ginger tea, apply ginger oil to your muscles or simply chop it up and cook it, ginger can have an amazing effect on your all round health and well-being.

Of course, while science continues to reveal new uses for ginger, there is absolutely nothing new about the herb.
The documented history of ginger is long and illustrious. It dates back over 5000 years when Confucius – the esteemed Chinese philosopher first discovered its amazing healing powers. The Romans treasured ginger regarding it as a sign of wealth and status.

By the middle of the 13th century, ginger started to make its way around the world in its dried form. Stories from that time are testimony to its value with some telling us that just a pound of the spice was equal in price to a whole sheep.

Nowadays ginger is a popular ingredient in dishes the world over. It is especially common in local specialties in various parts of Asia including India. Ginger is not just synonymous with Indian cuisine but it has also long been used in traditional Indian medicine or Auyrveda. Aurvedic practitioners commonly recommend the use of ginger root to aid digestion and relieve symptoms like bloating, relieve joint pain and to avoid motion sickness.

Why Ginger Juice is Good for Us

Today studies have revealed just how valuable ginger in any of its forms can be to our health. It is blessed with excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can be used for a range of illnesses from treating poor digestion to easing skin conditions like acne.

And what is it about ginger that makes it so beneficial? The simple answer is ‘gingerols’. There are over 100 different chemical compounds present in ginger but all of its therapeutic benefits stem from its gingerols. This oily resin which comes from the ginger root have extremely potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

You may already consume plenty of ginger but ginger juice represents an excellent way of increasing your intake of this incredible herb.

The Health Benefits of Ginger Juice

1) Digestive Health

Ginger in any of its forms including juice contains a number of volatile oils that can help get your gastric juices flowing and your digestive system working smoothly.

Whether we are looking at a minor tummy ache, indigestion, morning sickness or severe nausea, ginger is a reliable and highly effective remedy.

Poor digestive health can be extremely troublesome not only for the immediate symptoms but for your long term health too. Drinking ginger juice during or after your meal can help you digest it properly and avoid any unwanted symptoms.

Ginger juice helps relax the smooth muscles of the gut linning which helps food to move more easily through the digestive system.

Ginger juice can also effectively relieve feelings of nausea and help prevent vomiting. One recent study found that ginger could be used to relieve nausea in patients undergoing cancer therapy. (1)

2) Congestion and Colds

Ginger juice comes with outstanding antibacterial properties than can help relieve any bacterial infections that have caused your congestion.

Drinking ginger juice alone can help you breathe more comfortably but you can get even more effect from adding some dried pepper to the mix. These ingredients can help eliminate the build up of mucus from the lungs and quickly ease your symptoms.

To treat the symptoms of a cold or clear up your congestion, add a few spoons of good quality honey and a pinch of dried pepper to a glass of ginger juice and drink warm.

3) Pain Relief

Fresh ginger juice is well known traditional treatment for to relieve muscle pain and joint aches because of its excellent anti-inflammatory properties.

One great way to use ginger for your muscles is to add a little olive oil to a teaspoon of ginger juice then apply it to the affected part of your body. Massage it into your skin and leave it on overnight. You should feel far less pain and be aching less when you wake up.

For a headache or migraine, drink a few tablespoons full of ginger juice mixed with some good quality honey. To treat a toothache, simply chop up some pieces of ginger root, place them between your tooth and gum and allow the juices to get to work.

4) Heart Health and High Blood Pressure

Ginger juice can also help protect your heart and may reduce the risk of heart disease in the future.

Ginger can be used to reduce blood pressure because of certain compounds present in the herb. High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors in heart disease and heart attack. Another factor is high cholesterol and there is evidence that ginger juice and ginger in general can help bring cholesterol levels under control.

Take a tablespoon or so of fresh made ginger juice twice each day for best effect.

5) Skin Health

Ginger juice can also help keep your free looking beautiful and blemish free while it can also help to treat common skin issues like acne.

Ginger juice works because of its outstanding anti-inflammatory actions on the skin. Ginger is also a great source of antioxidants like vitamin C which can help get rid of unwanted marks and blemishes.

You can simply apply some freshly obtained ginger juice directly to the affected part of your skin. Let the juice do its work for 5 or ten minutes and then rinse off.

According to experts, ginger juice can also help to eliminate toxins out of the skin. It also helps detoxify the system by supplying iron that can give you a more healthy glow.

6) Hair Health

As well as helping your skin to glow, drinking plenty of ginger juice or applying it to your hair can also help your hair look more beautiful and stay healthy.

One great way of treating your hair and scalp is to mix a tablespoon of freshly made juice and mix in a few pieces of onion. Apply the mixture to your scalp and massage it in then leave the mixture in pace for 20 to 30 minutes. Wash it out normally making sure you get rid of the smell. Because of its antiseptic properties, it may also help to treat conditions like dandruff.

7) Oral Heath

Ginger has antiseptic properties as well as antioxidants that can help kill any bacteria in your gums and teeth. It can help treat infections but also keep your mouth smelling nice and fresh.

To freshen your mouth, mix a teaspoon of fresh ginger juice together with lime and a glass of warm water. Gargle the mixture for a few minutes each evening before bed.

How To Make Fresh Ginger Juice

There are several very easy methods to extract your ginger juice in the kitchen.

The first way is to simply grate your ginger root in the smallest holes on your grater. Collect all of the grated pieces of ginger and put them all into a cheesecloth. Wrap the ginger well and squeeze it hard over a bowl to gather the juice.

Remember, do not waste the pieces left in the cheesecloth. You can use them in your cooking later on or even use it to brew up a cup of ginger tea.

The second method is to extract the juice using an electronic juicer or mixer. Simply add a few pieces of ginger with a little water to help it blend. A

 

(1) http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20121108-2