GINGER (LUYA)

Ginger is a popular ingredient in cooking, and especially in Asian and Indian cuisine. It
has also been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.Possible health benefits include
relieving nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness, and pain.

The root or underground stem (rhizome) of the ginger plant can be consumed fresh,
powdered, dried as a spice, in oil form, or as juice. Ginger is part of the Zingiberaceae family,
alongside cardamom and turmeric. It is commonly produced in India, Jamaica, Fiji, Indonesia,
and Australia.

It is available fresh and dried, as ginger extract and ginger oil, and in tinctures, capsules,
and lozenges. Foods that contain ginger include gingerbread, cookies, ginger snaps, ginger ale,
and a wide variety of savory recipes.
 USES OF GINGER

1. Nausea and vomiting caused by drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS (antiretroviral-induced

nausea and vomiting).

Research suggests that taking ginger daily, 30 minutes before each dose of antiretroviral
treatment for 14 days, reduces the risk of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving HIV treatment.

2. Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).

Research shows that taking ginger powder 500-2000 mg during the first 3-4 days of a menstrual
cycle modestly decreases pain in women and teens with painful menstrual periods. Ginger was given
for approximately 3 days starting at the beginning of the menstrual period or at the beginning of pain.
Some research shows that taking ginger seems to work about as well as some pain medications, like
ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, or Novafen.

3. Osteoarthritis

Most research shows that taking ginger by mouth can slightly reduce pain in some people with
osteoarthritis. There is some evidence that taking ginger by mouth works as well as certain drugs
such as ibuprofen and diclofenac for pain in hip and knee osteoarthritis. But conflicting results exist.
Some early research also shows that ginger gel applied to the knee or ginger oil massaged into the
knee can also relieve osteoarthritis pain.

4. Morning sickness.

Taking ginger by mouth seems to reduce nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women. But it
might work slower or not as well as some drugs used for nausea. Also, taking any herb or medication
during pregnancy is a big decision. Before taking ginger, be sure to discuss the possible risks with
your healthcare provider.

5. Dizziness (vertigo)

Taking ginger seems to reduce the symptoms of dizziness, including nausea.

 6. Digestion

The phenolic compounds in ginger are known to help relieve gastrointestinal (GI) irritation,
stimulate saliva and bile production, and suppress gastric contractions as food and fluids move
through the GI tract.

At the same time, ginger also appears to have beneficial effects on the enzymes trypsin and
pancreatic lipase, and to increase motility through the digestive tract. This suggests ginger
could help prevent colon cancer and constipation.

7. Nausea

Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea is a common home remedy for nausea
during cancer treatment.

8. Cold and flu relief

During cold weather, drinking ginger tea is good way to keep warm. It is diaphoretic, which
means that it promotes sweating, working to warm the body from within.

To make ginger tea at home, slice 20 to 40 grams (g) of fresh ginger and steep it in a cup of
hot water. Adding a slice of lemon or a drop of honey adds flavor and additional benefits,
including vitamin C and antibacterial properties.

9. Pain reduction

A study involving 74 volunteers carried out at the University of Georgia found that daily
ginger supplementation reduced exercise-induced muscle pain by 25 percent

10. Inflammation

Ginger has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation and treat inflammatory conditions.
 A study published in Cancer Prevention Research journal reported that ginger
supplements, which are available to buy online, reduced the risk of colorectal cancer developing
in the bowel of 20 volunteers.

Ginger has also been found to be "modestly efficacious and reasonably safe" for treating
inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

11. Cardiovascular health

Other possible uses include reducing cholesterol, lowering the risk of blood clotting, and
helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. More research is needed, but if proven, ginger
could become part of a treatment for heart disease and diabetes.