How to use:
If you are already taking any blood thinning medication or have a risk of hemorrhage, do not try any of these home remedies without consulting your doctor. A dosage of above 4 gm per day of dry ginger powder could prove to have a negative impact in such cases.22
According to research, taking 5 gm of ginger powder can have significant blood thinning effects.23
Another home remedy involves adding half a teaspoon of freshly ground ginger to a cup of boiling water. Add honey for taste and drink hot.24
5. Combats Insulin Resistance And Treats Diabetes
In people with insulin resistance, the body doesn’t respond properly to the hormone insulin, which is responsible for managing our blood sugar levels. This puts them at a greater risk for type 2 diabetes as well as heart disease.25 But ginger can help combat insulin resistance. One study found that when people with type 2 diabetes took 3 gm of ginger powder daily for 8 weeks, it lowered insulin resistance and they showed an improvement in indices related to diabetes control.26
How to use:
Taking 3 gm of ginger powder daily could be helpful.
6. Prevents Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders like obesity, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol which work together to increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.27 Research indicates that ginger may have a protective effect against this syndrome.
One animal study found that the marked rise in body weights, insulin, glucose, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides caused by feeding them a high-fat diet for 6 weeks was significantly reduced when they were treated with ginger. And it is thought that 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol play a role in these beneficial effects. So add some ginger to your diet. But do remember that there’s no dodging the fact that a healthy diet and regular exercise are important components of preventing metabolic syndrome too.28
How to use:
Having 3 gm of ginger a day can help improve factors like blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.29
7. Helps With Indigestion
Indigestion or dyspepsia can cause considerable pain and discomfort. A delay in emptying of the stomach after a meal plays a role in bringing on the symptoms of indigestion.30 And according to research, taking 1.2 gm of ginger powder before consuming food can speed up emptying of the stomach.31
How to use:
Taking around 2 to 4 gm per day of fresh ginger, or its equivalent, can help with indigestion, gas, and heartburn.32
Add freshly ground ginger to dishes when you cook; or eat some fresh ginger after a heavy meal for help with digestion. Ginger can also help reduce the symptoms of minor food poisoning to some extent.
8. Soothes Coughs And Colds
A cup of warming ginger tea has been traditionally used to soothe an irritating cough and cold. How does it work? Shogaols in ginger have anti-inflammatory and antitussive (ability to suppress or relieve coughing) properties.34 So stick with the tried and tested ginger tea the next time you come down with a nasty cold.
How to use:
Drink 2–3 cups per day of hot ginger tea to tackle a nasty cold. You can add a dash of honey and some lemon juice to boost the healing power of your ginger tea. Soothing honey coats your throat and relieves irritation while lemon has beneficial antioxidant and antiviral properties.35
Chew on some fresh ginger several times a day for a natural detox and find relief from the symptoms of cold and flu.36
Take one teaspoon of dry ginger powder or 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger, add to 2 cups of water, and boil. Inhale the steam to reduce congestion and other cold symptoms.37
9. Reduces Severity Of Migraines
If you suffer from throbbing headaches brought on by migraines, ginger might be your salvation. According to research, consuming ginger powder can reduce the severity of a migraine attack within a couple of hours.38
How to use:
Experts suggest taking around 500 mg of ginger when a migraine starts. You can repeat this dose every four hours, limiting yourself to 1.5 to 2 gm of ginger a day.
Make yourself a cup of soothing ginger tea. Simmer about 2 teaspoons of freshly sliced ginger in 3 cups of boiling hot water for around 10 minutes and strain. Add a little honey and you’ve got some delicious ginger tea.39
How Can You Add Ginger To Your Diet?
Ginger is commonly used in a variety of forms – fresh, powdered, dried, pickled, candied etc. Try ginger pickled in sweet vinegar with sushi or use ground ginger in cakes, cookies, and curries.40 But the classic you have to try remains a cup of ginger tea!
Make Some Ginger Tea
If you want to start your day with some ginger tea, here’s a recipe you can use. Just simmer a couple of tablespoons of fresh chopped ginger in 3 cups of water for around 10 minutes and strain. Add a little honey and you’ve got some delicious ginger tea.41 Ginger tea also works well with other components and spices. Here are some combinations that you can try.
Ginger and turmeric: Add some fresh turmeric which contains curcumin,42 an anti-inflammatory compound. Or whip up a spicy curry which commonly uses both these spices.
Ginger and cinnamon: Combine cinnamon which can lower blood sugar43 with ginger which improves insulin sensitivity to control your blood sugar. So try a delicious cinnamon and ginger tea or use these spices in your cooking.
Cook With Ginger And Garlic
Ginger garlic paste is commonly used in Indian cuisine to add flavor to dishes. Like ginger, garlic has antioxidant properties.44 Wash and peel approximately equal amounts of ginger and garlic. Combine with a salt (to taste) and a dash of oil and grind to a smooth paste in a blender.
How Much Ginger Should You Have?
Ginger is generally considered to be a safe herb but its mechanism of action is still not completely understood so it is best to exercise caution when using it for therapeutic purposes.45
Not more than 4 g a day if you are taking any blood-thinning medication or have a risk of hemorrhage46
Not more than 2 g a day if you’re pregnant.47
None for children under the age of 2 and people with gallstones, since it can increase the production of bile. Large amounts of ginger can cause mild heartburn, diarrhea, and irritation in the mouth.
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