Between Ginger, Ginkgo and and Ginseng, we'll have a lot to talk about today! (I'll do most of the work :)
Let's distinguish these three "G" to make sure we don't mix them up in a conversation!
Ginger Root
It is believed that its medicinal properties have been known in China for thousands of years. Ginkgo by the way is also a favorite of the Chinese, they think the tree is a symbol of longevity for some reason we'll discuss later BH. Finally, Ginseng root has been around as a medicine also for quite some time (although not as much as Ginger root) a few hundreds years - as energy tonic and other benefits, which will also cover later BH (told you it was going to be a long post!)
So let's come back to our first "G" :
Ginger Root's Benefits
Anti-bacterial: Zingerone, a chemical compound which gives pungent character to the ginger root, is effective against E.coli induced diarrhea.
Anti-inflammatory: Studies have shown that ginger inhibits the production of cytokines, which promotes inflammation. When used externally, it has an anti-inflammatory action and is a useful base in many preparations for treating muscle strains, joint sprains and muscle pain.
Anti-spasmodic: Ginger relaxes all types of muscles.
Aromatic: Ginger's aroma, flavor and warmth help to stimulate the digestive system.
Athlete's foot: Ginger contains many anti-fungal compounds which make it a popular herb for treating athlete's foot.
Cancer: Ginger root contains an anti-cancer fighting agent, which helps to cure cancer naturally by destroying the cancerous cells. According to studies ginger is effective against skin, colon, ovarian and breast cancers.
Carminative: the volatile oils in Ginger relax the stomach and stimulate peristalsis (the wavelike motion of food through the gut) thereby supporting digestion and reducing gas.
Circulation: Ginger contains chromium, magnesium and zinc which can help to improve blood flow, as well as help prevent chills, fever and excessive sweat.
Colds - The ginger root has also been used to treat some of the symptoms of common cold and flu such as loosening phlegm and treating chills. Boil a teaspoonful of ginger powder in one quart of water and inhale the steam - helps alleviate colds.
Diabetes: Herbalist recommend some drinking ginger in water first thing in the morning to help regulate your glucose level.
Digestion: Ginger has been used to treat common gastrointestinal complaints such as flatulence, indigestions and diarrhea. Ginger promotes gastric secretion and is excellent for many kinds of digestive complaints, including indigestion, colic and wind.
Diaphoretic: Ginger induces perspiration and the elimination of toxins through the skin.
Fevers: In fevers, ginger is able to induce sweating, thereby helping to reduce body temperature.
Headaches: dilute a paste of ginger powder, about 1/2 a teaspoon, with water and apply to your forehead.
Heart: Heart health is another benefit of ginger use. It has been shown to slow the production of LDL and triglycerides in the liver and prevent the clotting and aggregation of platelets in the blood vessels, associated with atherosclerosis and blood clots.
Joint, pain: Ginger has been used to treat joint pain, especially those conditions caused by poor circulation.
Menstrual: Ginger has also been shown to lessen the severity of menstrual cramps. Due to its anti-spasmodic characteristic some people have used it to help ease menstrual cramps.
Migraines: 1/3 tsp of powdered ginger or several slices of fresh ginger may help prevent a migraine from fully developing if taken at the onset of migraine symptoms. Researchers attribute this benefit to ginger being able to block the effects of prostaglandins, which are substances that cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, leading to migraines.
Minerals: Ginger also contains a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
Motion sickness: The travel industry is using ginger more and more to combat nausea caused by motion-sickness. Drink a cup of ginger tea or ingest 1/4 tsp of powdered or 1/2 tsp of fresh ginger before a car or boat trip, ideally every 15 minutes for an hour before you travel. Repeat during your travels at the first sign of motion-sickness.
Respiratory: If you're suffering from common respiratory diseases such as a cough, ginger aids in
expanding your lungs and loosening up phlegm because it is a natural expectorant that breaks down and remove mucus. That way you can quickly recover from difficulty in breathing.
expanding your lungs and loosening up phlegm because it is a natural expectorant that breaks down and remove mucus. That way you can quickly recover from difficulty in breathing.
Rubefacient: Applied to the skin, Ginger stimulates and dilates the blood capillaries, increasing circulation.
Sialogogue: Ginger promotes the secretion of saliva.
Stomach: Combats stomach discomfort. Ginger is ideal in assisting digestion, thereby improving food absorption and avoiding possible stomach ache. Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in a similar way to aspirin and ibuprofen.
How to use it?
Dried, peeled rhizome, chopped. Teas, tinctures, encapsulations, in herbal formulas and in cooking.
Grated ginger root mixed with diluted lime juice can help to soothe the digestive tract and reduce fatulence. It can be made into oil and used to massage areas of localized chronic pain. It can also be taken in an extract form to reduce inflammation.
Ginger compress: This method stimulates blood and body fluid circulation, helps loosen and dissolve toxic matter eg. cysts, tumors. Place about a handful of coarsely grated ginger in a cloth and squeeze out the ginger juice into a pot containing 4 liters of hot water (do not boil the water). Dip a towel into the ginger water and wring it out. Apply very hot to the affected area.
Ginkgo Leaf
The Ginkgo Biloba tree is one of the oldest living trees still growing on the planet. The Chinese consider it a symbol of longevity for the following reasons:
- it is a well-known brain tonic that improves the cerebral blood flow and helps treat and prevent problems with memory, senility and mental dullness;
- the herbal extract has also been shown to significantly improve long-distance vision and may reverse damage to the retina of the eye.
- it helps even in the depression of elderly persons. 
Here are some of the most important benefits:
- Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's is marked by a major loss of nerve cells in the brain, particularly those in areas controlling memory and thinking. Ginkgo facilitates better blood flow through out the body, most notably in the brain, where it both protects and promotes memory and mental function, even for people with Alzheimer's disease.
- Antioxidant: Ginkgo benefits by providing body with potent antioxidant properties necessary to rid cells from free radicals damaging effects and help repair cells. This is important in prevention of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other serious conditions. Antioxidants play important roles in preventing or delaying heart disease, cancer and other ills.
- Bipolar: Ginkgo biloba is primarily used to enhance mental cognition and memory, the use of this herb for bipolar mania has also been examined. This herb is noted for reducing depression and dementia. Ginkgo biloba increases the flow of blood in the brain. By doing so, the brain is able to receive a higher concentration of oxygen and other vital nutrients, which may help with bipolar mania symptoms.
- Depression: Patients suffering from varying degrees of vascular insufficiency also noted an improvement in mood while taking ginkgo biloba extract. This has prompted interest in its use as a treatment for depression, especially in the elderly. Patients diagnosed from mild stages of depression can draw great benefits from Ginkgo tea and extract. Elderly patients showed great improvement while being on Ginkgo biloba extract and foregoing anti-depressant medications.
Macular degeneration: Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that affects the retina. Ginkgo biloba contains active compounds that help stop or significantly reduce retinal problems associated with macular degeneration. Ginkgo biloba has been shown to strengthen nerve cells and support blood vessel health in the eye. Studies suggest that ginkgo may help preserve vision in individuals suffering from blindness caused by macular degeneration.
Memory: Ginkgo is widely touted as "brain tonic". It has been studied to see whether it can improve memory in people with dementia.. Ginkgo helps the memory in people with dementia. Ginkgo helps the memory in people who have normal, age-related memory loss. The most effective dose seems to be 240mg per day. Ginkgo is commonly added to nutrition bars, heath drinks and fruits smoothies to boost memory and enhance mental performance.
Raynaud's disease: Raynaud's disease is believed to be caused by blood vessels that over react to the cold and spasm, reducing blood flow and thereby depriving extremities of oxygen. Ginkgo biloba compounds work by enhancing blood flow to hands and feet and relieving blood vessels spasms. Ginkgo biloba may help by widening the small blood vessels, which would promote blood flow.
In conclusion, Ginkgo biloba extract is often recommended for deppresion, diabetes related nerve damage and poor circulation, allergies, vertigo, short-term memory loss, headache, atherosclerosis, tinnitus, cochlear deafness, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and PMS.
Ginseng
Ginseng root is a nutritious herb that has been used for centuries as an energy tonic as well as to treat a variety of health problems. Let's have a look at the list of benefits:
Antioxidant: Ginseng is known as an antioxidant, preventing the cumulative cell damage researchers believe cumulates in chronic diseases.
Alcohol: lowers the blood alcohol content by reducing absorption from the stomach.
Alzheimer's disease: Decreasing senility and improving memory and behavior.
Aphrodisiac: Ginseng has been used to increase the drive and energy.
.jpg)
Cholesterol: Ginseng decreases harmful LDL cholesterol and increases beneficial cholesterol HDL levels. It has anti-clotting effects, reducing risk of arterial blood clots. Ginseng is a great treatment for high cholesterol level: take one capsule of Ginseng or a cup of the tea once every two days.
Diabetes: Ginseng helps control diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels.
Digestion: Ginseng helps build up appetite and aids digestion and respiration.
Endorphins: Ginseng helps the brain produce more endorphins that help to balance the physical and emotional stress hormones secreted from the adrenal glands.
Energy: Ginseng helps improve energy levels, vitality, alertness and mental clarity, while relieving or eliminating fatigue, mood swings and stress. Simply take one capsule of Ginseng or a cup of Ginseng tea daily for a week.
Immunity: Ginseng enhances the immune system, by stimulating the production of the body's own virus fighting chemicals. Ginseng helps the body fight off infection and disease. It may be effective for treating colds, coughs, rheumatism, neuralgia, gout, diabetes, anemia, insomnia, stress, headache, backache and double vision.
Liver: Ginseng protects the liver from the effects of drug, alcohol and toxins, minimizes cell damage from radiation, and increases intestinal absorption of nutrients. Protects the liver from the adverse effects of medication.
Liver: Ginseng protects the liver from the effects of drug, alcohol and toxins, minimizes cell damage from radiation, and increases intestinal absorption of nutrients. Protects the liver from the adverse effects of medication.
Menopause: Helps to relieve symptoms, improves emotional balance with the benefits enhanced when combined with a vitamin and mineral supplement.
Menstrual: Ginseng tea is well known for its cooling effect. It is recommended for young women who suffer from menstrual cramps and distress. It minimizes the stomach pain associated with menstruation. Women find it helpful in normalizing menstruation and easing childbirth.
Mental Health: Enhanced mental alertness, improved concentration and retention especially when combined with ginkgo biloba. Boost memory and builds stamina.
Mouth: in a study, ginseng was used effectively as a mouthwash against periodontal disease which is a progressive destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth.
Obesity: if you want to shed those extra pounds, ginseng tea would help you in your dietary habits. This herbal tea is popular as a natural appetite suppressant. Consuming ginseng tea could also provide slimness to the body.
Stress: Ginseng has a long history of use in helping the body to deal with stress. Ginseng also counteracts the effects of physical and emotional stress, enhances memory, counteracts fatigue without caffeine and improves stamina.
In conclusion, Ginseng has been said to act as a stimulant, promote endurance, increase life expectancy, relax the nervous system, improve mental awareness, encourage proper hormonal functions, improve lipid levels, lower cholesterol, improve nerve growth and increase the resistance to disease.
----
If you enjoyed this post, maybe you'll also like:
Comments
Post a Comment