HOW TO USE GINGER/ HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER AND NUTRITIONAL CONSTITUENTS OF GINGER

Ginger is one of the olden medicinal plant that is still surviving up till date. Its medicinal benefits have been into exploitation since time immemorial.This made this wonderful plant to be renamed by the ancient Ayurvedic medicine, to“Natural Medicine Chest”. Ginger is a perennial crop that has tuberous and thick underground stem.

This plant has the ability to grow to the length of one meter high. However, ginger plant is cultivated mostly in the tropical region which include places like Asian countries like China, Japan, and India. It is grown in the middle East, Australia, parts of South American and Africa.Ginger has a stem that is leafy and its flowers are yellowish green.This plant can be consumed in drinks,beer,ale used as an ingredient in cooking, it can also be consumed raw. Some of the root low,white or red depending on the type or variety that you cultivated.However, ginger has an aromatic,pungent and spicy characteristics that is why most people use it in preparing fries,many fruit and vegetable dishes.Thus, the fresh ginger has no season , it can easily be sourced at any time of the year.

FORMS GINGER CAN APPEAR IN:

There are so many forms that ginger can take. The only thing is that which ever form that you see ginger in, its constituent still remain the same.The forms include the following

Powdered ginger. This is grounded type of ginger made from the dried root- Preserved or 'stem' ginger. Fresh young roots are peeled, sliced and cooked in heavy sugar syrup.
Pickled ginger. The root is sliced paper thin and pickled in vinegar. This pickle, known in Japan as gari, often accompanies sushi to refresh the palate between courses.
Dried roots.This is just the root of ginger that is dried.The method of drying that is recommended is drying the root in the absence of sun.Air drying is the best, this is to ensure that most of the required nutrients do not escape to the atmosphere.
Whole fresh roots. These provide the freshest taste.
Crystallized ginger. This is also cooked in sugar syrup, air dried and rolled in sugar.

Apart from serving as a spicy or food ingredient this wonderful crop called ginger is used in the field of medicine to sure some illnesses and also to prevent some ailment. However, this article does not in anyway stand out as a replacement to your doctor.You should always visit your doctor in case of any illness.The following are the some of the merits/advantages,benefits in terms of health of using ginger.

Helps in easy digestion and relief of constipation: Series of experiment has shown that ginger is an effective medicinal plant that is used in preventing the symptoms of some gastrointestinal diseases like constipation,flatulence,bloating and other problems that relates to digestion of food. It has also been established that ginger can be used in treating of dyspepsia also called chronic indigestion. One of the symptoms of dyspepsia is a persistent pain and feeling that is uncomfortable that is usually noticed in the upper part of the belly. Research has also shown that inadequacy, if in going to the toilet for a long time is the main thing that causes indigestion in human beings. However,if you notice that you are finding it difficult to empty your bowl or to go to the toilet , you can chew a sizeable ginger so that there will be easy emptying of bowl. Investigations, have shown that ginger speeds up the digestion of food , thereby allowing fast emptying of bowl.
Muscle pain killer: Research has strongly confirmed that the use of this wounder plant called ginger has helped in so many occasions to kill pains especially pains that occur in the muscle. This particularly use or benefit of ginger dates back in the ancient Asian countries.It is advisable that if you are having severe muscle pain you should take ginger by either chewing it fresh or taking the grounded one and drink it inform of tea before you now go and see your doctor.
Anti respiratory problems: It is now well established that ginger is a strong fighter against some of the respiratory diseases.However, if you are suffering from any respiratory issues like catarrh, cough, or running nose, it is advisable that you take a dose of ginger for a relief.
Immunity booster: If you know or you notice that you have a poor immune system, which makes you to be contrasting diseases so easily. You have being susceptible to diseases.It is advisable to be taking bits of ginger for some months and i bet you you will amazed on the wounder that you will see.
Nausea solution: It is established that ginger is a solution to so many diseases like nausea,dizziness.cold sweating, vomiting and so on.It is also used in treating nausea in the morning sickness that happens to mostly women in their early pregnancy. If you are also suffering from a sickness called motion sickness , a slice of ginger can greatly be of a help.
Menstrual pain killer: It is now a fact that taking slices of ginger at the beginning of your menses will help to kill the pains that is associated with menstrual cycle. This is a fact that has been in place since the ancient times.
Normal blo#od circulation maintenance: Ginger is a great aid in ensuring that blood in the body is normally circulated . this is as a result of the constituent elements of ginger . Some of the main elements of ginger include zinc, chromium and magnesium. Cold, fever and excessive sweat can also be reduced by taking ginger because of the elements that ginger contains.
Ginger can also be used to fight against diabetes.This is because ginger contain a constituent called gingerols. This constituent has been found out to be an improvement in diabetes. Ginger has also be found out to increase the release and sensitivity of insulin. This helpful to people living with type 2 diabetes.
Colon and Ova#rian cancer prevention: Ginger also helps to prevent cancer of different types. credible investigations have shown that ginger contains a substance called 6-gingerol. This substance helps to fight against cancer. 6-gingerol also helps to fight against ovarian cancer. This research was carried out in Minnesota University.
Ginger also helps in minimizing the incidence of heart diseases and stroke. Ginger can do this because of one of the constituent that has slight anti coagulating effect on blood of human.This is why old people are strongly advised to be taking at least a tea cup of ginger drink at least once a day. Ginger also has the ability to reduce the level of bad cholesterol called LDL cholesterol, this type of cholesterol is very deadly and capable of causing heart disease and stroke.
Used in treating Osteoarthritis: Ginger has the capacity of treating Osteoarthritis because of its ability to have an anti-inflammatory functions. It also have an anti-oxidant effect.This one of its reasons it is used to treat Osteoarthritis.

   HOW TO STORE/CHOOSE AND BUY GINGER
You can buy fresh ginger in the supermarket or in the open market. Mature ginger has a tough skin that requires peeling. Fresh ginger can be stored in the fridge for up to three weeks if it is left unpeeled. Whenever possible, choose fresh ginger over dried since it is superior in flavor and contains higher levels of the active component gingerol. The root should be fresh looking, firm, smooth and free of mould with no signs of decay or wrinkled skin. If choosing dry ginger, keep it in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark dry place for no more than six months to avoid spoiling and loosing its major nutrient constituents.
                             DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN PREPARE YOUR GINGER
There are so many ways by which you can prepare your ginger for your taste and delight. Which ever way that you choose the nutrient content is assure to remain the same.
Ginger Powder: Ginger powder is a ground dry form of ginger. The Ginger powder is used in the form of spice in making your smoothie, soups, pies etc.
Ginger Oil: When we talk about the health benefits of ginger, gingerols are at the center. This makes ginger oil the best for of ginger. You can rub it topically in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis etc. The recommended dose is two-three drops daily.
Raw Ginger: Another way to use ginger is by using the raw form. Just cut, grate or slice your ginger and add to your meals. It does a lot of good.
Ginger Tea: To make a ginger tea, just cut some slices of the ginger and add to a cup of hot water. You can add some flavor if you wish to. Raw honey and lemon to the tea can do the job. Taking ginger juice three times daily will be good for nausea and stomach upsets.
                    GINGER'S NUTRIENT VALUES WITH PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION
The following are the nutritional constituents of ginger with their percentage composition