Ginger: More Than A Tummy Herb

Ginger is a spicy rhizome (root) that has been widely used as a culinary spice and medicinally for over 1,000 years. It's largest claim to fame is as a digestion helper, but the diversity of health benefits related to this pungent spice may surprise you. There’s more to ginger than flavoring your food and supporting healthy digestion.

10 Reasons To Love Ginger

Ginger is one of the world’s most evidence-driven, versatile herbs. The research is actually quite staggering — ginger has been studied in relation to over 100 health conditions. Let’s explore a few of ginger’s many health benefits.

1. Nausea Aid

Nothing is worse than feeling sick to your stomach. One of ginger’s most prominent traditional uses is as an aid for nausea and motion sickness. Many studies have been conducted on this topic and the overwhelming conclusion is… it works!

2. Digestive Guru

Beyond nausea, ginger is the classic soothing tonic for our digestive systems. It’s considered an “aromatic bitter.” As such, it can help with healthy digestive function and flow, especially when things are sluggish. Ginger works by supporting the healthy flow of bile, which can aid in the digestion of fats. Ginger may also assist with the healthy production of mucin, the protective layer in the lining of our stomachs and intestines. 

3. Inflammation Ally

Inflammation is at the core of so many of our health challenges. Some amount of inflammation is a normal response by our bodies to keep things in check. But when the cascade of pro-inflammatory compounds (called cytokines) gets out of hand, trouble ensues. Some of ginger’s essential oils, particularly the gingerols, can help support a normal inflammation response to daily exercise and activities. For even more benefit, try turmeric and ginger together.

4. Bug Balancer

There's so much talk these days about a healthy microbiota — the healthy bacteria and organisms that reside in our guts, on our skin, and throughout our bodies and are essential to whole system balance. When things go awry and bugs grow where they shouldn’t or in unhealthy abundance, ginger has the ability to support a healthy rebalancing of the flora.

5. Blood Sugar Supporter

Blood sugar issues are rampant in this day and age of processed foods and refined sugars. There’s good evidence that ginger can support healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range.

6. Lipid Stabilizer

Maintaining a healthy heart and cardiovascular system depends on maintaining the right balance of cholesterol and other blood lipids. A recent study suggests that ginger promotes healthy lipid metabolism.

7. Cellular Protector

Every day, we’re bombarded by chemical, environmental, and biological toxins, all with the potential to do harm to our 50+ trillion cells and the DNA inside them. Ginger is one of those special plant protectors with a knack for supporting healthy cell growth and function.

8. Antioxidant Agent

The rich phytochemistry of ginger hinges on its well-researched antioxidant benefits. The potent volatile oils in ginger (gingerols, shogaols) have been identified as powerful antioxidants and free radical scavengers. Bottom line: ginger is an important herb to consider as part of your healthy aging toolkit.

9. Joint Supporter

Remember ginger’s effects on our inflammation response? Well, this plays a pivotal role in the health of our joints and muscles. You may consider ginger as a powerful support for healthy joint function. It works hand in hand with turmeric/curcumin too!

10. Brain & Heart Helper

Ginger can help with healthy circulation and blood clotting. As such, it’s an important ally on your quest for healthy brain function and overall cardiovascular health.

Best Ways To Use Ginger

Ginger comes in many shapes and sizes. Teas, candies, brews, dried spice, fresh root, tincture, extract, capsules. We recommend adding it to your diet wherever you can: a cup of spicy ginger tea with lemon, some fresh grated ginger to liven up your stir-fry, a sweet n’ spicy ginger chew for a special treat.

If you’re looking to get the maximum therapeutic benefits of ginger, however, we suggest reaching for a whole-spectrum, certified organic extract like SuperPure® Ginger. It's a potent, dual extract with 25 mg of standardized levels of ginger’s essential oils — gingerols & shogaols —per capsule. 

There’s really no reason to proceed “gingerly” with a mighty plant ally like ginger. It's a must-have in your health arsenal and can be kept on-hand year-round.