Ginger: Natural Tonic For The Digestive System

June 27, 2007

Ginger RootThe few times I had an upset stomach, as a child, my mother would always give me a “natural tonic” of homemade ginger root tea.

Occasionally she would add honey and lemon to sweeten it. I loved it. It soothed my stomach upsets quickly, and soon I was back to my old self-full of energy.

My mother used a variety of natural remedies for my brother and myself. She was a strong advocate of healing yourself naturally (if possible.)

I didn’t know why ginger worked I just knew I felt better quickly. As I became older I looked into the reasons why ginger root was effective for upset stomachs, morning sickness, and digestion what I found out was intriguing.

It’s not a root
Did you know that ginger root isn’t a root? It’s a rhizome (underground stem.) Ginger is harvested year-round. The longer it stays underground, before it’s harvested, the hotter an spicier it gets which makes it even more effective.

Proposed Medical Benefits of Ginger
Ginger has been used since ancient times to help treat conditions such as digestive disorders, diarrhea, the common cold, menstrual cramps, fungus, heart conditions. It’s also been used to loosen phlegm, relieve gas, and to soothe sore throats.

Morning Sickness
When I was pregnant I briefly experienced morning sickness drinking a cup of ginger root tea eliminated the nausea I was feeling. It became my daily drink. Maybe that is why I never had morning sickness again because I drank it daily? I also used it in a variety of dishes.

When I was menstruating drinking a cup of ginger root tea was an effective way to eliminate cramping. I started drinking this a few days before my menstrual cycle, and it was an effective way to eliminate menstrual cramping.

Why is it effective?

Ginger Constituents
Ginger consists between 1% - volatile oil which is believed to contribute to the medicinal effects of ginger.

My mother was definitely on to something with ginger root tea and guess what when my four-year old daughter has had a mild stomach upset I’ve made her ginger root tea also. I’ve included the recipe that I use below. Sometimes I add mint leaves. They’re also good for the digestive system.

Ginger Root Tea
5 cups of water
2-3 inch piece of fresh ginger root
optional: agave nectar (natural sweetener), honey, or lemon

Instructions
1. Scrub the Ginger root and cut it into thin slices.
2. Bring the water to a boil in the teapot
3. Add Ginger
4. Cover the teapot, reduce heat, and let simmer for about 20 minutes.
5. Serve and Enjoy!

*If you are drinking the tea to strengthen the immune system sweeteners are not recommended.

I usually make a pitcher of ginger tea at least once per week. I brew it, allow it too cool, store in a stainless steel pitcher, and place it in my refrigerator.

ginger root, morning sickness, nausea, cramps, heart conditions, pregnancy, tea

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Posted by Opal Tribble | Filed Under Blog, Natural Remedies 

Comments

11 Responses to “Ginger: Natural Tonic For The Digestive System”

  1. Posts I Like From the Do Follow Group | Natural Health Remedies on June 28th, 2007 4:41 pm

    [...] Ginger: Natural Tonic For The Digestive System [...]

  2. Lavender on July 1st, 2007 1:38 am

    Bravo! Ive been chewing the ginger itself for my stomach troubles, will definately be brewing up some of your tea later today. Im loving this site, Thanks for visiting the birds & the beads , thats how I found you. Keep up the good work!

  3. Opal: Healing Yourself Naturally on July 1st, 2007 4:09 am

    April,
    Thanks for the trackback I’ve been wanting to send you a shout out ever since I stumbled upon your website, but I’ll wait until you are back from vacation and I’ll do it from my Vegan Momma website since that receives the most traffic.

    Lavender,
    I hope you like the tea. I like it unsweetened. My friends think I’m “weird”. My mother always drank her tea unsweetened so I picked that up early.

    Thanks for stopping by yes I was breezing through earlier I only lurked since I didn’t have a lot of time. I did make a note to myself that I would return.

  4. Jenny-up the hill on July 5th, 2007 2:52 am

    I knew that ginger helped with morning sickness but I wasn’t sure how to use it! lol!! A tea makes perfect sense! Thanks for the recipe…

  5. chase on July 8th, 2007 11:58 am

    ginger is also good for sore throats

  6. Opal: Healing Yourself Naturally on July 18th, 2007 3:43 am

    Jenny-up the hill,
    You’re welcome!

    chase,
    You’re correct. It has numerous benefits. :smile:

  7. Harmonia on July 25th, 2007 1:50 pm

    Ginger is great - I just really got into it since I “met” you! :)

  8. Mansi on August 27th, 2007 4:09 pm

    Nice article…Ginger is really a very medicinal root..my husband has a sore throat and that’s what i’ve been feeding him since 2 days now, and the cough is almost gone :smile:

    -Mansi

  9. Opal Tribble on August 28th, 2007 9:53 am

    Mansi,
    It’s a fabulous root to have and it’s been a part of my natural pantry for years. that’s fabulous that your husbands cough is almost gone. Raw garlic is effective also.

  10. mlankton on October 5th, 2007 3:24 pm

    Follow the Japanese lead and keep some pickled ginger in the fridge. A few slices after every meal is great for digestion, and helps keep upset stomach away.

  11. Opal Tribble on October 5th, 2007 3:41 pm

    mlankton,
    Thanks for the suggestion! I loved pickled ginger! I make and keep it in my refrigerator. :-) You are right about the digestion and upset stomach it does help keep them away. :-)

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Please note: I dislike negativity personal attacks, comments that are off-topic (spam, splogs, etc.,) will likely be removed at my discretion. Thanks in advance! -Opal

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