John Myers
Ginger tea or ginger root is said to be very healthy. In some cases, almost mystical powers are ascribed to the tea. But like many other so-called superfoods, when it comes to how healthy ginger tea really is, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Ginger tea: Ginger root really is that healthy for our health
Ginger root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In contrast, the tuber has had a fairly short career in Germany. In Germany, ginger has only been recognized as a medicinal plant for around 25 years. But in the meantime, ginger tea has also become very popular with us – and there are a few good reasons for that.
- Ginger has a lot to offer health and can definitely make a contribution to health care. After all, the ginger root contains over 160 health-promoting ingredients.
- In addition to vitamins, which include in particular the B vitamins, the A vitamins, and a lot of vitamin C, the tuber is also convinced with essential minerals. This includes magnesium as well as iron, potassium, calcium as well as sodium, and phosphorus.
- Due to its high vitamin C content, ginger tea is often used as a cold tea. If you drink ginger tea every day during the cold season, you might even be spared a cold.
- Ginger also contains the pungent substances gingerol and shogaol, which stimulate the heat receptors. In the cold season, the spicy substances quickly provide warmth from the inside and stimulate blood circulation. In addition, the ginger really gets your cardiovascular system going.
- Gingerol and shogaol are structurally similar to the painkiller aspirin. If you often suffer from headaches, a cup or two of ginger tea can provide relief.
- Incidentally, ginger tea can also help you lose weight. The pungent substances gingerol and shogaol, which are abundant in the ginger root, are responsible for this pleasant side effect.
Ginger tea is not always beneficial to health
Ginger tea tastes delicious, is healthy, and can be freshly prepared quickly and easily every day. However, if you suffer from an illness and need to take medication every day, you should speak to your family doctor in advance. It is not always advisable to integrate ginger tea into your diet.
- You should be very careful about consuming ginger tea if you are pregnant or about to have an operation. Ginger tea may induce labor. In addition, ginger has a blood-thinning effect, which can be very tricky both during operations and when taking various medications.
- By the way: It is best to always buy organic ginger. In that case, you can use the bowl without any worries. It’s worth it because many of the valuable nutrients are located directly under the skin and are often removed when you peel them.
Ginger root: This is how the tuber works when applied externally
The active ingredients of the ginger root are not only used internally in the form of the popular ginger tea. Ginger can also have a beneficial effect on the outside.
- The active ingredients of the ginger root can have a soothing effect, especially in the case of muscle pain, minor distortions, rheumatism, or arthritis.
- In this case, too, the two pungent substances gingerol and shogaol are responsible for this. Due to their stimulating effect on the heat receptors, they stimulate blood circulation and have a beneficial warming effect on the painful parts of the body.
- Ginger oil is used for the external use of ginger root. The root contains around twenty different essential oils such as neral and geranium.
- Incidentally, these also play a major role in beauty care. That is why ginger oil is also often used for external anti-aging care.
- By the way: If you chew on a small piece of raw ginger in between, this also has some positive effects on your health: You absorb the healthy nutrients of the ginger root, reduce cravings, and, incidentally, you ensure fresh breath.
