5 Health Benefits of Ginger

It’s been such a cold, damp and windy day today. Having returned home from getting a soaking, all I could think about was some restorative ginger to cheer and warm me up and stop a damp chill from settling in.

A mug of ginger tea - just what was needed! A couple of slices of fresh ginger steeping in a mug of boiling water, on its own or adorned with a sunny slice of lemon and a small spoon of honey - the choice is yours!

Here are somethings you need to know about ginger, or should I say, Zingiber Officinalis:

1. It’s great for the circulatory system

Ginger is wonderful for warming and stimulating the body. Its effect in assisting the circulation makes it a good ingredient to use in treating chillblains. It stimulates the circulation which is helpful when treating tight and aching muscles, helping to warm them after exercise and exertion. It is one of the key ingredients in the SkinKindly Arnica balm and, along with Arnica, can help to relieve bruising. Regular massage is also a fantastic method for supporting the circulatory system.

2. It’s great for digestion

Whether you need to quell feelings of nausea or settle you digestive system after something has thrown you off balance, you will quickly feel the benefits of consuming or drinking a ginger brew. If your digestion is an ongoing issue, reflexology can be a fantastic treatment option too.

3. It’s a natural pain reliever

Otherwise known as an analgesic, it has been found to be especially helpful for those suffering from arthritis, rheumatic pain and muscle spasms and cramps.

4. It’s a fantastic expectorant

Ginger has been proven to help dry out excess moisture in the body such as a runny nose and excess catarrh. A perfect tool for combatting seasons-changing congestion.

5. It’s an aphrodisiac too!

French Doctor, Jean Valnet (1920-1995), recorded that women in Senegal wove belts from pounded ginger roots for their partners to wear to revive tiring sexual prowess. I must admit I haven’t tried this yet!