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.
