The story of ginger goes back to more than 5000 years when ancient
Chinese philosopher Confucius discovered its healing powers and it was
regarded as a symbol of wealth and fertility by the Romans. By the 13
th century, it was dried and shipped to various countries to increase its shelf life. It is believed that a pound of
ginger,
in those days, was equal to the price of a whole sheep! Undoubtedly,
ginger is one of the most powerful spices in the world and has been
highly prized for its medicinal and therapeutic qualities.
Back
in India, you will find ginger in every kitchen and as part of every
regional cuisine. From being a pungent spice to an aromatic garnish and
also integral to some cultural traditions, the ginger root boasts of a
wide variety of uses. Besides its culinary use, every part of this
versatile herb has potent powers. In fact, in
Ayurveda, it has been regarded as the healing spice that can prevent motion or air sickness, improve
digestion
and reduce joint pain. The spicy ginger juice packs a great nutritional
punch and can also serve as a valuable natural medicine.
How to extract ginger juice
There
are two easy ways to make ginger juice at home. In the first method,
you can use a simple grater to grate fresh ginger using the smallest
holes. Place a bowl below the grater to collect the grated ginger. Next,
put all of the grated ginger in a cheesecloth, wrap it properly and now
squeeze it over an empty glass or bowl to collect all the juice. You
can use the dry grated ginger later for cooking purposes or brew some
with your
evening tea.
Ayurveda
In
the other method, you can use a juicer or a mixer to extract ginger
juice. Add small ginger pieces along with some water and blend. Take out
the ginger pieces and place them in a cheesecloth. Squeeze out the
juice and its ready for use. Since the juice contains the entire essence
of ginger, it can be a bit pungent or spicy. You can add it to your
detox juices to give it an extra kick or even to your cup of tea along
with honey which is great to balance the pungency.
Fresh ginger juice will only last you for a day or perhaps two because
it is alkaline in nature and alkaline foods tend to have shorter shelf
lives. However, an interesting way to preserve it during summers is to
freeze it in an
ice tray and them as dunk the zingy cubes in your juice or
iced tea
whenever needed. Here are some amazing benefits of ginger juice and how
to use it as a natural cure for some of the most common health
problems.
1. Improves digestion
Ginger
juice contains certain volatile oils that can help awaken your taste
buds and get the juices flowing. It purifies the mouth and stimulates
the production of saliva which aids the digestion process. Having a
combination of ginger juice, salt and lime before or after a meal makes
it easier to digest your food.
2. Relieves congestion and cold
Ginger
juice has amazing antibacterial properties. Consuming ginger juice with
dried pepper can help eliminate mucous and congestion in the lungs. To
cure cold, mix equal quantities of ginger juice and honey and drink it
warm at least two to three times in a day. Drinking plain ginger juice
can also help in clearing a sore throat.
3. Pain reliever
The
fresh juice of ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and
is known to act is a pain reliever. A very effective remedy for back
pain is to mix a spoonful of ginger juice with some olive oil and
massage it over your skin. Leave it overnight and you will feel relieved
the next morning. It can also help in curing a toothache or a pulsating
migraine headache. For a toothache, it is best to keep a small piece of
ginger between you cheek and tooth and let the natural juices do the
work. For migraine, drink two tablespoons of ginger juice with honey.
You can even rub some ginger juice on your stomach to get relieve from a
sinus headache.
4. Controls high blood pressure
In
his book, ‘The Healing Herbs,’ renowned health writer Michael Castleman
explains that certain chemical compounds in ginger can help in reducing
hypertension or
high blood pressure.
It prevents blood clots from being formed in your arteries and blood
vessels and thus, controls blood pressure. According to Castleman, the
chemical compounds in ginger can also help lower overall blood
cholesterol levels as well as low density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol)
which can cause heart disease. It is recommended to have a tablespoon
of fresh ginger juice twice a day but you must consult your health
expert before doing so.
