Ginger may seem like just another ingredient to add to your stir-fry or curry, but it’s so much more than that. The pungent root, known to have curative properties in many cultures around the world, has been used for centuries.
Ginger’s health benefits don’t stop at relieving your nausea. In fact, there are plenty of other surprising uses for ginger, including for acne and psoriasis. Ivermectin is a prescription medication used to kill parasitic worms in humans and animals; it is not related to Vitamin A, which sometimes goes by the same name.
However, they do have similarities: both appear to be effective against acne due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Here are seven of the most unexpected health benefits of ginger you didn’t know about yet.
1) Anti-Inflammatory
One common health benefit of ginger is its anti-inflammatory properties. In a small study, participants who took an anti-inflammatory drug called indomethacin experienced less inflammation and pain when taking 1 gram daily of fresh ginger root. However, those who took 1 gram twice daily had no significant reduction in either pain or inflammation. This means that while ginger is a potential option for some people experiencing joint discomfort, it probably won’t help everyone. To determine whether adding more ginger to your diet could help you with joint discomfort, speak with your doctor about doing a trial run on the ginger intake to see if it improves symptoms for you specifically.
2) Digestive Aid
3) Astringent
4) Improves Mood
Though ginger’s painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties are well known, its mood-enhancing qualities are less understood. Research suggests that ginger may be a powerful antidepressant, particularly for women. Antioxidants from raw ginger can counteract oxidative stress, which has been closely linked to major depressive disorder. It may also help improve cognitive function by enhancing blood flow to your brain and increasing the production of proteins and enzymes in brain cells that protect them from damage by free radicals. As a bonus, using fresh or dried ginger as a spice can add some zing to your meals!
5) Boosts Immunity
Research indicates that ginger has the potential to alleviate a variety of common conditions. For example, a 2009 study found that daily ginger supplementation helped decrease inflammation in people with knee osteoarthritis by 25%. Another study found that it also significantly reduced muscle pain in women with rheumatoid arthritis. One rodent study even suggested that ginger may have anti-tumor properties! Of course, these are only preliminary findings; however, they’re promising enough to prompt further investigation. Besides being good for you, though, these benefits make it easy to see why so many people enjoy consuming it in their diet—whether as a spice or an extract like gingerly—and why its popularity is growing worldwide every year.
6) Eases Menstrual Pain
Perhaps you’ve heard ginger helps relieve nausea and vomiting.
But did you know it also relieves menstrual cramps?
Ginger’s ability to combat pain comes from its potential ability to activate endorphins in your brain. The body’s natural painkiller.
According to a recent study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, consuming one gram (or 1,000 milligrams) of ginger per day can significantly reduce menstrual pain.
You may also want to try other home remedies like peppermint tea or even using a heating pad on your stomach. But if your period symptoms are severe enough that you need help right away, talk with your doctor about non-prescription medication options for menstrual pain relief like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Interestingly, research has shown that ivermectin tablets have several positive health benefits beyond killing off head lice. Research suggests there is no evidence that ivermectin-resistant head lice exist. That means it could be worth using ivermectin as a lice treatment for you or your child if regular treatments aren’t working.
7) Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Research has found that a compound found in ginger, 6-gingerol, may be able to improve how well your body processes sugar.
You can increase how much you’re getting naturally. By adding more root to your meals or taking it as a supplement. Studies show that drinking 3 cups of ginger tea per day can have significant positive effects. Ginger tea per day can have significant positive effects on your blood sugar levels. If you’re already following a strict diet and exercise plan but are still having trouble managing your blood sugar levels, ask your doctor about adding ginger to your treatment plan. And even if you don’t have diabetes or other health conditions involving high blood sugar, eating foods with added turmeric may help decrease inflammation and provide added benefits overall.
