Ginger and echinacea are two natural health aids that provide a range of supportive benefits to the body and immune system. Both ginger and echinacea have been used for hundreds of years to naturally treat infections, viruses, nausea and other health issues before the advent of modern medicine. Today, you can find ginger and echinacea vitamins, teas and tonics at most health stores.
History
Both ginger and echinacea have a long history of medicinal use. Echinacea was originally cultivated in North America and used by American Indians to prevent internal infections as well as as a topical curative for wounds. Echinacea was widely adopted as a general cure-all and has since undergone scientific studies that prove its effectiveness as an immune system booster. Ginger was similarly used by indigenous cultures for many years. Originally cultivated in Southeastern Asia, mention of ginger as a medicinal root has been found in ancient Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern writings. Ginger has and is today used to treat nausea and gastrointestinal ailments.
Immune Support
Echinacea is prized for its ability to support and boost the immune system. Although it does not actively cure infections, echinacea promotes white blood cell production, which increases the body's ability to fight off and heal infections. In particular, echinacea is effective against respiratory infections, colds, the flu, urinary tract infections, ear infections, sinusitis and skin infections. Ginger is less widely known for its role in supporting the immune system, but can be combined with echinacea to provide anti-inflammatory and digestive tract support.
Digestive Aid
Ginger is better known and valued for its role as a digestive aid. Ginger is used to effectively treat morning sickness, motion sickness, food poisoning, diarrhea and general nausea. It has also been shown to reduce vomiting in cases of morning sickness during pregnancy, which is particularly valuable as gentle natural remedies are often the safest for pregnant women. Echinacea is less effective at treating digestive issues, but has still been used for indigestion and heartburn.
Other Benefits
As well as their properties of immune system support and digestive aid, both ginger and echinacea offer a host of other benefits. Echinacea is also used to treat strep throat, genital herpes, yeast infections, migraines, psoriasis and hemorrhoids. Ginger works as a natural painkiller, anti-inflammatory, heartburn relief and migraine relief. Both ginger and echinacea have been used to alleviate the symptoms of various cancers, although definitive scientific studies have yet to prove their efficacy.
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