GINGER – THE HOUSE MASTER -Ntomchukwu Ukachukwu

WELCOME:

You, obviously, are not hearing about this herb for the first time. Ginger, the House Master, is a household name today. Before now very few people were aware of the many benefits that Ginger offers. Because most people could hardly afford the menus where it appears, it remained the exclusive preserve of a few until probably the past ten, fifteen years. By this time the general populace had become exposed to the goodies that accrue from the use of Ginger.

MY ENCOUNTER WITH GINGER:

Personally I came across Ginger in the late eighties when my quest for things natural had gotten the better part of me. I was constantly drawn nearer individuals and situations that revealed what Ginger could do in human life. I began to use Ginger and gradually began to study it to better appreciate its efficacy.

SO WHAT IS THIS GINGER?

Ginger is an underground stem referred to as rhizome. While the leaves shoot out above the ground it stays under, like cocoyam does. However Ginger can only grow easily in temperate environments; places that are generally cold throughout the year. When it matures, it has a light golden colour with a faint greenish tint. The feel is generally hard and it has high fibre content.

WHERE CAN ONE FIND GINGER?

It’s not difficult to locate these days. Salad items and seasoners used to be sold only in grocery stores, far removed from the masses. The affluent ones who equally attended good schools had the exclusive preserve of this wonder herb. If you happen to accompany this set people to an elite sponsored dinner you could have tasted it without really knowing what you ate. Hahaha! Yeah, and that’s the truth anyway. When a child washes the hands well, then the elder would consider inviting such to dinner.

These days, however, that which the husband denied the wife can be found in the marketplace! Ginger is now very much available in the various food markets worldwide. I mean even in the remotest villages Ginger is available. Most people now use it in their menus.

FORMS IN WHICH GINGER IS USED

Ginger can be used in its fresh state. It is also used as oil or juice. Ginger can be dried and as well ground into powder form. It can be used for seasoning in soups and stew,s as well as for boiling meat and fish, especially when the latter are still in fresh state. The aroma from Ginger, released by the active oils will whet your appetite so much. Am best with Ginger when I chew it raw.

MEDICINAL VALUES OF GINGER

1.      Brings Emotional Wellbeing:

Ginger brings so much feeling of wellness few minutes after being used. This is the very origin of its name. A sense of balance, satisfaction, elements of good composure, brightness and alertness accompanies the use of Ginger. If you feel somewhat down in your emotions take some drink of Ginger. You will soon feel elated and ready to meet life once again.

2.      Aids in Eliminating Bacteria and Viruses:

Ginger is reputed to be effective in the fight against certain bacteria and viruses. This is due to the antioxidant properties that it possesses. It can detach a stubborn free radical from the body cells and remove it completely from the system.             Our general environment is ridden with these bacteria and viruses; from air we breathe, water we drink, cook with or bath with. We can also contact them through poor hygiene and those already infected. 

3.      Effective Management of Morning Sickness:

When women are pregnant there is this unwellness that usually greet them on their waking up every morning. This usually happens in the first three months of the pregnancy. It is commonly referred to as ‘Morning sickness’. The pregnant lady finds it hard to fit into the day; not even sure of the nature of the uneasiness. She could easily vomit.

There are a lot of changes that take place when a pregnant person is asleep. This to continuously prepare the body for the tasks ahead. It is as if the lady was not consulted. So when she wakes up the body seem to be unfit for her. Ginger come comes in handy to assist in bringing normalcy to the body.

Chewing Ginger raw or taking it when cut in small pieces and boiled in water, as a drink, quickly restores the body.

4.      Enables the Proper Functioning of the Brain:

In certain parts of the brain information transfer is only through electrons jumping from one nerve ending to the other nearby nerve. They are not directly connected. Normally this poses no challenges at all. However in certain conditions, as a result of illness or old age, this normal brain functions becomes a serious matter.

Ginger comes to the rescue. The presence of the active substance in Ginger known as Gingerone helps the nerves to calm down enough to perform their dedicated functions. Taking the Ginger drink morning and night has a good effect.

5.      Ginger Relieves Muscular Pains:        

Occasionally, due to extra pull on the muscles to achieve certain goals, it tears or pulls off from the neighouring muscles. It may be due to a fall, serious tackles in sports, accidents or even in the course of normal physical exercises. This causes serious pains. The affected person may need to rest the muscle, sitting up or lying down as the case may demand. Drinking boiled Ginger, adding it as spices to cook meals and chewing it from time to time, does bring a lot of relief.

6.      Good in Lowering Blood Pressure and Providing Heart Health:

One of the great benefits of Ginger is in the area of Lowering Blood Pressure as well as improving the strength of the heart muscles. High blood pressure has come to be one of the most challenges health situations today. The speed of human endeavours has gone up so much that the blood pressure at times jumps to abnormal levels.

When this not checked, it results in unpleasant consequences. Such outcomes range from shock to heart failure. Gingerone, present in Ginger, comes in handy to forestall the onset of high blood pressure. The consumption of Ginger, on daily basis, is highly recommended for people who are constantly under mental pressure.  

7.      Clears Chronic Indigestion:

Illnesses, mental pressure, poor nutrition are some of the major causes of Indigestion. If not checked it becomes chronic, as if the body has accepted it as normal. When the stomach cannot process foods and drinks as expected the possibility of more ailments become very obvious. It is very discomforting for one to eat when having indigestion.

It could lead to antiperistalsis, a condition where the stomach starts pushing its contents back to the mouth. This results in vomiting. Taking Ginger regularly helps the system to relieve the closed lower end of the stomach and as well stimulate the upper muscles of the stomach to contract and relax properly. In a short time the evacuation of the stomach contents will begin and the bile duct will bounce back.

8.      Effective in Handling Arthritic Pains:

From time to time I experience arthritic pains. When it begins I waste no time in increasing my intake of Ginger. It takes a short time for the pains to leave me alone. With constant use of Ginger it is extremely hard for arthritis to have a foothold in an individual. People who are getting old, mostly from fifty years on, may consider to always have Ginger as part of their daily menu. Prevention is always better than cure.

9.      Reduces Cholesterol Levels:

Some types of fatty acids have been identified to be antagonistic to the wellness of the body system. These fatty acids are referred to as cholesterols. It is probably important to point out here that not all cholesterols are bad. In fact the body does need some types of cholesterols on daily basis. However, for the bad ‘guys’ that show up from time to time, Ginger is there to check them at the ‘door’ of the body. It acts as antioxidant, effectively forestalling the ravaging effects of the cholesterol.

 Ginger remains a very effective home companion. Let me add here that nothing whatsoever stops you from carrying Ginger along when you are leaving home. Your bag is your assistant away from home. Put Ginger there in a secure healthy corner!