What are the Health Benefits of Ginger Root?

Ginger root has a wide range of health Benefits.  It is a very good remedy for digestion and nausea.  

Ginger is a perennial plant which grows in tropical climates. Ginger has been grown for thousands of years across the world and is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Ginger root is used in alternative medicines like ayurveda, aromatherapy and herbal therapy to treat a variety of diseases. It is also used to flavor food in several cuisines. It is been wide use alternative medicine for its health benefits for a long time

Ginger

Wikimedia Common: Thamizhpparithi Maari

Ginger for Vomiting and Nausea

Ginger can be eaten powdered or raw to get rid of nausea and vomiting. It can get rid of nausea and vomiting which occurs during the 15-18 months of pregnancy. Clinical trials have shown that ginger is also effective in controlling nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Ginger for Digestion

Ginger stimulates digestion and is a very good remedy for digestion problems. It also prevents E.coli from causing diarrhea. Ginger is soothing on the stomach and aids digestion. It can also contribute to weight loss. According to researchers from Maastricht university of Netherlands, it has fat burning properties and boosts metabolism.

Ginger for Cough and Cold 

Ginger is a very good remedy for cold and cough. It can even provide relief for laryngitis. Ginger tea can be prepared with the addition of lemon and honey. Take it several times a day to get rid of colds and cough

Cholesterol and Hypertension

Ginger will help to reduce the LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the blood. Higher levels of LDL can contribute to the formation of plaque on the walls of the arteries and narrow them down. This will increase the blood pressure levels. The plaque can also lead to the reduction of elasticity of blood vessels. The reduction of blood pressure will reduce the chances of the formation of blood clots. This will also help to prevent heart attack and strokes.

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea has several health benefits. Peel ginger and get rid of its skin. Cut it into thin slices. Boil water in a sauce pan. Add the slices to it and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add lemon and honey to it. Drink a cup the tea 2-3 times a day. This will help you to get all the health benefits of ginger.

Other Methods of Using Ginger

- Fresh ginger can be grated or ground and added to your food

- Crystallized ginger candies which can be purchased, can be used like lozenges

-  The commonly available beverage, ginger ale is quite tasty and healthy.

These area some of the important heath benefits of ginger.

Onion Health Benefits

Onion provides a wide range of health benefits. It is useful in the treatment of asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Onion has been used across the world for centuries in a variety of cuisines. It is perhaps the most popular vegetable in the world. It is not only tasty but also helps to prevent and cure a variety of diseases. It is quite nutritious as it contains proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It also contains vitamins and calcium. Some of the minerals that are present in onion are potassium, zinc and phosphorous. There are several onion health benefits.

Onions

Onion for Asthma

Onion contains flavonoid called quercetin. It has anti-inflammatory properties. Most of the quercetin is available in the onion skin. The skin should be extracted and boiled in water. The water can be cooled and the skin filtered out before drinking the liquid.

Onion and Honey for Asthma

Onion juice can be extracted by placing onion pieces in a juicer. Mix a tbsp of this juice with a tbsp of honey. Drink it 3-4 times a day. This would reduce the inflammation and the intensity of attacks. It would also prevent further occurrence of attacks. The reason for this is the sulfur content of onions. Sulfur helps to reduce the inflammation of the airways and makes you breathe better. This is one of the important health benefits

Onion for Diabetes

Onion contains allyl polypyl disulphide as an active ingredient. This helps to lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin. Onion also helps to block the breakdown of insulin in the liver. This ensures that the body has more insulin. It is very helpful to patients of type 2 diabetes.

Onion for Heart

Onion helps to prevent cardiovascular(heart) diseases like hypertension and atherosclerosis. Red onions are more effective in reducing cholesterol levels as they contain more quercetin. Onions have anticoagulant properties that help to promote the clot dissolving ability of the blood. They contain chemicals that prevent the platelets from sticking together.

Onion for Insomnia

Providing relief for insomnia is one the important health benefits. Cut raw onion into pieces. Drop it into a glass jar. Smell it deeply several times just before going to bed. The aroma will help you to go to sleep quickly. If you wake up in the middle of the night you can smell onion and get quickly back to sleep again. Drinking onion juice is another method to overcome insomnia. 

Onion for Hair Growth

Rub a raw onion slice on the part of the scalp where you are experiencing hair loss. This will help to stimulate hair growth. You can also apply water boiled with onion skin on your scalp. Wash it off after half an hour to reduce hair loss and promote growth.

These are some of the onion health benefits

Ways of Reducing High Blood Pressure with Diet

Besides medication diet can help to reduce high blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables should be an important part of diet.

People suffering from hypertension need to be cautious about what they eat. Sodium content in the food has to be reduced as it tends to clog up the arteries and adds strain to the heart. There are several high blood pressure diet plans. 

Breakfast 

Fruits such as banana, apple and pineapple are ideal for breakfast and snacks. Some of the other foods that can be taken at the breakfast are oats, bread, low fat milk and tea. Fruits contain vitamins and are well known anti oxidants. Some people drink carrot juice early in the morning. It contains beta carotene and regulates heart function and kidneys. It also has a high content of potassium which is good for the heart. Lemon juice is very good to contain hypertension. Papaya eaten on empty stomach every morning is likely to bring down blood pressure. 

Lunch

Whole wheat Tortilla, steamed vegetables and brown rice are recommended for lunch. Ayurveda recommends eggs and meat should be completely avoided. Pickles should be avoided at all costs as it contains salt. Hydrogenated oils should also be avoided. 

Dinner 

Salad of raw vegetables and green gram sprouts are recommended for dinner. Vegetable soup is also good. High calorie foods like chips and cookies have to be replaced with fruits for snacks.

Saffron is an expensive spice. It is extensively used in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine to treat heart medicines and digestive disorders. It has chemical called crocetin which helps to reduce hypertension. A pinch of saffron mixed to the food would be beneficial.

Things to avoid for High Blood Pressure

Alcohol

Alcohol in limited quantities can help to reduce the risk developing high blood pressure. But people already suffering from high blood pressure should avoid alcohol.  

Saturated Fats 

Saturated fats are bad for the heart and blood vessels. They also increase the blood. Very small amounts of fat should be included in a blood pressure diet.

These are some of the ways of reducing high blood pressure with diet.