TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ginger has been used for thousands of years to cure illnesses and add flavor to food and beverages.

Ginger is native to Asia and belongs to the Zingiberaceae family of plants, and people usually use its edible root or stem. As a herbal remedy, ginger can relieve ailments such as arthritis, diabetes, cough, colds, and nausea.

It can be consumed in many ways, including in the form of ginger tea.

Here are several health benefits of ginger, as cited from Healthline.

1. Relieve motion sickness

Traditional medicine suggests ginger tea can help calm motion sickness symptoms, like dizziness, vomiting, and cold sweats.

Although researchers don’t understand exactly how ginger works, some have suggested that certain compounds in ginger block a brain receptor that has a key role in the vomiting center of the brain.

The current research is limited or inconclusive but ginger tea may be a good treatment to try if you experience nausea.

2. May relieve nausea from morning sickness or chemotherapy

Some experts believe gingerols in ginger can help relieve nausea caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy, or surgery.

Researchers suggest that ginger might be an effective and inexpensive alternative to traditional anti-nausea drugs in people who are pregnant or undergoing chemotherapy and can’t have conventional medicines.

Nevertheless, be sure to check with a healthcare professional before using ginger after surgery.

3. May help manage blood pressure and support heart health

Research suggests that consuming ginger in daily doses of 2–6 grams may help protect against heart disease. This is because the compounds in ginger can help lower blood pressure, prevent heart attacks, prevent blood clots, relieve heartburn, lower cholesterol, and improve blood circulation.

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4. May help manage weight and blood sugar levels

A lot of research shows that consuming ginger has beneficial effects on weight and blood sugar management.

Research suggests that ginger may help manage body weight by increasing thermogenesis — the production of heat by your body — which helps burn fat. It also helps to increase the breakdown of fats for energy, inhibiting fat storage, inhibiting fat absorption, and helping control appetite.

In addition, ginger may help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing fasting insulin levels, hemoglobin A1C, and triglycerides.

5. May relieve pain and inflammation

Research shows that the compounds in ginger called gingerol and shogaol help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory markers. People have particularly studied ginger for its effect in relieving pain from osteoarthritis of the knee.

Ginger tea may also help alleviate menstrual cramps if you take it at the start of your period. Research shows it may be equally or more effective than over-the-counter pain relief medications.

6. May protect your brain

Scientists have studied ginger’s protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation — two factors that play a decisive role in the development of brain degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Animal studies show that gingerol and shogaol may offer protection against age-associated decline of brain functions due to their antioxidant properties.

Test-tube studies also suggest that ginger extract may increase cell survival against beta-amyloid — a protein closely related to Alzheimer’s disease that can induce toxicity in brain cells.

To make ginger tea at home, simply boil a few slices of ginger in 250 ml of water and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add lemon juice, honey, or milk to taste.

You can enjoy your cup of ginger tea at any time of day — first thing in the morning, right before bedtime, or anytime in between.

Healthline | Cantika

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