What Does Ginger Do To Your Period Cramps?

Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, a plant family that includes galangal, cardamom, and turmeric.

It is a flowering plant whose rhizome, root, and even leaves are widely used as spices and folk medicine, as it is among the healthiest and most delicious spices on planet earth. It is also a herbaceous perennial.

It originated from Southeast Asia.

Ginger can be used fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallized, candied, powdered, ground, or as an oil or juice. It is a very common ingredient in recipes, most times added to homemade or processed foods, drinks, and cosmetics.

The flavor is somewhat peppery and slightly sweet, with a strong and spicy aroma.

This very common spice is so advantageous, almost every local and even orthodox treatment includes and approves of it.

Explained below, are tested and proven health advantages of including ginger in our daily living and consumption.

Eases Period Cramps

Good news for the ladies who dread that time of the month because of the tight clutching pain and discomfort it brings, or the men who constantly have to watch their partners or sisters whine about dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps and pains).

Ginger is an easy, cheap, and natural relief to pain of any kind but most especially to period cramps and pains.

Taking fresh ginger or boiling it in water to drink especially on the day the period begins, and two more days subsequently, will significantly reduce the cramps felt by women on their periods, as proven by Jessica Perez, R.D.

Recent studies have also shown that ginger works as effectively as any OTC period pain reliever. So why not take the natural and more wholesome way?

Relieves Nausea

The commonest use of ginger would be to alleviate nausea. It would serve as a quick cure for a hangover, as well as an ease to a queasy stomach from discomfort or nausea caused by chemotherapy, seasickness, road trip sickness, and especially morning sickness symptoms in pregnant women.

It works by breaking up and getting rid of built-up gas in the intestines.

Hinders Cancer Growth

Regarding cancer development and ginger use, proficient research has been carried out and results have shown that the antioxidants and bioactive molecules present in ginger can greatly slow down the growth of some common cancers like gastric, ovarian, liver, skin, prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancer.

Ginger is also loaded with special antioxidants that would protect the body from cancerous cells if consumed regularly.

Lowers Blood Sugar and Improves Heart Health

Various studies have shown that ginger helps the body use insulin better and that it has potent anti-diabetic properties and modifies various heart disease risk factors in people for the better.

A 2020 study on blood sugar also concluded that ginger significantly reduced HbA1c in people with type 2 and 3 diabetes.

Relieves Indigestion

Ginger helps clear up the digestive system and stomach. This is very good news to people, particularly those living with dyspepsia, also known as chronic indigestion.

It helps by emptying the system fast, reducing the period food has to stay in the system, and cause discomfort or problems.

Protects Against Diseases and Infections

The antioxidants and compounds contained in ginger helps prevent the body’s DNA from stress and damage that may lead to chronic diseases and cause early aging.

Furthermore, Gingerol, a compound in ginger, helps satisfactorily in fighting off common infections and reducing the risk of having one.

It has effectively inhibited the growth of various types of bacteria and may even be effective against some viruses.

The steam from fresh ginger boiled along with other medicinal herbs can be inhaled, or bathed in, and this has proven to improve people infected with the novel coronavirus, and also prevent it by boosting the body’s immune system (not medically proven).

Ginger has also been shown to be effective against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of respiratory infections.

Reduces Cholesterol

Ginger will help lessen LDL cholesterol levels, the type that is harmful to the health, thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases. A very recent and detailed study confirmed these theories by illustrating with a controlled group of persons who consumed three grams of ginger three times a day for a month, and how they experienced a significant reduction in triglyceride and cholesterol.

Aids weight loss

Ginger plays a promising role in any weight loss journey. According to studies and research carried out, it was ascertained that the inclusion of ginger will significantly increase the number of calories burned.

People who had consumed ginger water or ginger extract consistently for a few months, saw a reduction in their body weight, even though they had sometimes consumed high-fat diets within that period.