Ginger is a root commonly used in India and Asia as a spice and in traditional medicine. The root of Zingiber officinale grows in tropical, moist soils. You can find ginger in most grocery and health-food stores as a fresh root, as a tea, dried in capsules or as a ground spice. Ginger is generally considered safe, but if used in large doses it has been reported to cause dizziness and nausea. Consult your doctor before taking any herb or supplement.
Lower Cholesterol
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes early studies that have shown that taking ginger can lower levels of LDL (the so-called "bad") cholesterol levels. Research published in 2000 in "The Journal of Nutrition found that mice given ginger extract saw significant reductions in their plasma and LDL cholesterol levels; ginger also reduced cholesterol's ability to aggregate, or stick together, on the walls of arteries, the study notes.
Anti-Platelet Activity
MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institute of Health and the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reports that one study found that ginger reduced platelet activity in patients suffering from high blood pressure when combined with other drugs. A study published in 1986 in the journal "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Medicine" showed that an extract of ginger at certain doses reduced platelet aggregation.
Increase Circulation
Ginger is considered a warming herb, and in his book "The New Age Herbalist," Richard Mabey suggests using it to improve circulation throughout the body by drinking it as a hot or cold tea. Chop fresh or dried ginger and steep in boiling water for five to 10 minutes, then drink, Mabey instructs. Indeed, ginger has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase warmth to the hands and feet.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
- MedlinePlus: Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe)
- Heart Healthy Guide: Heart Nutrients
- "The New Age Herbalist"; Richard Mabey; 1988
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Ginger Extract Consumption Reduces Plasma Cholesterol, Inhibits LDL Oxidation and Attenuates Development of Atherosclerosis in Atherosclerotic, Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice; B. Fuhrman et al.; May 2000
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