Ginger (Zingiber officinale), called gung in Vietnamese, is widely grown throughout the country for its pungent, aromatic rhizomes, which are often used as a spice and a medicinal herb.
More tips on medicinal properties of ginger
Recent studies conducted by U.S. scientists show that ginger rhizomes can help relieve pain quickly and relax muscles after strong physical activities. Regular intake of ginger as a spice or greens in daily meals can help heal external injuries and pain caused by playing sports or doing heavy manual jobs.
In Vietnam, ginger has long been used as a medicinal herb to raise low blood pressure (hypotension) and treat cold or indigestion effectively. The rhizome is also an efficient and inexpensive drug to fight sneezing: just chew a small piece of fresh, peeled ginger root well and then swallow it; the sneezing will disappears after about two minutes without any side effect (it takes from 90 to 150 minutes for such a bothering symptom to disappear if taking currently available antihistamines).
Eating fresh ginger rhizomes is recommended to cure swelling and relieve pain for those suffering from acute or chronic joint inflammations. Intake of fresh ginger roots can also help treat coughing and colds. Hold a ginger candy in the mouth while traveling by car, by ship or by airplane can help relieve uneasy or nauseant feelings for those with travel sickness without causing drowsiness.
The broth taken from boiling fresh ginger rhizomes is a healthful drink. Regular intake of this drink (can be added with a little sugar for a better taste) can warm the body, increase perspiration, facilitate blood circulation and cure hypotension. Ginger drink can also help relieve irritating symptoms caused by menstruation for women.
To treat external swelling or pain, or insect bites, squeeze fresh ginger rhizomes and apply this stuff onto the affected areas, then cover them with clean bandage; repeat the therapy for a few days until the swelling, pain or bites disappear.
To treat rheumatism, crush fresh ginger rhizomes and add warm water; immerse the feet into this broth for a while until it cools down; repeat the remedy a few times a day and a few days a week.
Boil fresh ginger roots and then add tap water; take a bath with this warm, ginger water from time to time to nourish your skin.
Beware that ginger may cause heartburn, flatulence, burping and nausea, and may affect blood pressure, clotting and heartbeats.
(Source: SGT)
