Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Ginger Tea: Health benefits and Side effects

Ginger tea is a spicy conventional beverage that is consumed and enjoyed daily throughout Asia and also popular across the world. Even, we know that Ginger is used in Ayurveda and ancient Chinese medicines for over 3000 years; and tea prepared from ginger roots is used as a natural remedy to heal different ailments including indigestion, inflammation, migraines, nausea, diarrhea, and several other diseases and conditions. Ginger tea can be prepared with or without adding tea leaves, and it is usually steeped with brown sugar in China while made with ginger sweetened and preserved in honey in Korea. It is outstanding when served with honey, lemon juice or peppermint. Ginger root tea is rich in potassium and magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, and it contains many health benefiting essential oils such as gingerol, zingerone, shogaol, farnesene and little of β-phelladrene, cineol, and citral. Indeed there are numerous health benefits of drinking ginger tea, but as per a well-known saying - 'too much of anything is bad'; and this is no exemption! Similar to all herbal substances, ginger tea has the prospective to cause side effects. When taking large amounts of ginger tea, some people may experience side effects from it like upset stomach, heartburn, mouth irritation, etc. If ginger is taken in capsule form, then it could help to alleviate some of these side effects. Read on to know the various health benefits and side effects of the Ginger tea.

Ginger Tea: Health benefits and Side effects

It’s very easy to prepare ginger tea at home. Wash your ginger root properly and then dry it. You can peel it or cut ginger root in thin slices. Boil 1 1/2 cups of water and put the ginger slices in it. Decrease the heat to simmer, cover and allow it sit for 5 - 15 minutes based on the preferred strength. To enhance the taste of the tea, you can add sugar, lemon, milk, tea leaves, honey, cream or whatever other ingredients you desire at that time. Strain the tea and enjoy it hot! As well, Ginger is available as a prepared tea and it can be bought in capsule and extract form.

Health Benefits of Ginger Tea:

1, Combats stomach discomfort

One of the major benefits of ginger tea is that it assists in the digestion process, thus helpful in improving food absorption and avoiding tummy aches from so much food eating. It is good for digestive tract similar to the Holy Basil tea. Intake of ginger tea every day can provide relief from the stomach problems like diarrhea, flatulence, stomach gas and indigestion. Shogoals and gingerols available in the ginger counteract the stomach acids, tones the digestive tracts muscle and also evoke the emission of digestive juices. Redundant belching can even be prevented by ginger tea.

2, Improves immune system

Drinking ginger tea regularly strengthens immunity since it contains huge amount of antioxidants that increase the immunity of a person. It protects a person against any type of disease or infection. 1 cup of tea a day helps lessen the potential risk of stroke, as ginger acts by breaking down fat deposits which block the arteries. Also, Ginger tea has been proven successful in restoring cholesterol levels to normal and preventing cancer.

3, Treating colds

Drinking ginger herbal tea regularly can be good for you particularly when you suffer from general respiratory ailments such as cough and stuffy nose. Ginger helps in loosening up phlegm and enlarging your lungs, as a result, you can recover speedily from trouble in breathing. Besides, it even combats allergy symptoms, aids with permanent sneezing and hay fever.

4, Encourages normal blood circulation

Ginger has warming properties that help to enhance the blood flow and circulation in the body. Its blood-thinning effects may assist to lessen the gumminess of blood and to ensure improved blood flow to organs and tissues all through the body. The active components of ginger, like minerals and amino acids, improve the circulation of erythrocytes. As a result, the risk of cardiovascular diseases is decreased.

5, Relieves morning sickness

Some degree of nausea or morning sickness is being experienced by the vast majority of pregnant women particularly in the first trimester of her pregnancy. These symptoms can be vary from mild to harsh enough to cause vomiting. These symptoms can be reduced by taking ginger tea, which is a well-known alternative or home remedy for the queasiness of pregnancy. A review of many studies has concluded that ginger is simply as effectual as vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.

6, Lowers risk of motion sickness

During long journey, carrying ginger tea along can prove to be greatly helpful as this tea is believed to lessen motion sickness. Pregnant woman is recommended to drink 1 cup of tea before traveling since it makes her feel calm by decreasing stress levels. It could even prevent vomiting and nausea, mostly because of the existence of Gingerols, which block the chemoreceptor trigger zone (that initiates vomiting), thus stopping it in the procedure. The other benefit of ginger tea is its relieving influence on headaches.

7, Reduces pain and inflammation

Ginger tea can relieve inflammation of the joints, which is usually referred to as rheumatoid arthritis. It has Gingerols, which hinder COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes that activate production of inflammation-causing chemicals known as prostaglandins. It may be helpful for treating pain linked with headache, osteoarthritis, lower back pain and minor injuries, plus muscle strains and sprains. But, using ginger with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may raise the risk for bleeding and other side effects. For athlete’s foot sufferers, it is suggested to make ginger tea baths to dispose of itchiness and the burning feeling while for other injuries, one can make compresses to lessen swelling.

8, Relieves stress

Taking a whiff of ginger tea makes you cheerful, relieved and puts you in a good mood. It gives the feeling of freshness and stillness for a long period. Its taste dispels all your grief and negative feelings during a bad day. Hence, Ginger tea can be said as an outstanding stress reliever due to its comforting and relaxing scent.

9, Menstrual cramp relief

Ginger tea helps to cure and relieve the cramping which several women suffer during their periods. Woman suffering from menstrual cramps should try putting a hot towel soaked in ginger tea on their uterine region to overcome the pain and relax the muscles. As well, tea with ginger provides a soothing effect.

10, Increases fertility

Ginger is believed to have aphrodisiac properties and if a man drinks ginger tea daily, then it can improve quality of sperm and boost male’s fertility. As per some studies, men taking ginger on a normal basis increase sperm count and activity in comparison to data before trying ginger supplements. It is thought to be useful for males who suffer from erectile dysfunction too.

Other benefits:
  • Help you deal with anxiety and stress, which are very ordinary for asthma sufferers.
  • It combats infection, is a good remedy for bad breath, as well good stimulator of weak appetite.
  • Ginger slows down the creation and growth of cancerous cells, thus helpful to prevent colon and ovarian cancer.
  • Helps in keeping the liver protected against the ill effects of toxic substances like alcohol.
  • Helps in keeping good cholesterol HDL levels high and lower dangerous levels of bad cholesterol LDL.
  • It is rich in vitamins (B, C and D), magnesium, zinc, potassium, calcium and copper, which helps in eradicating the toxins from the body.

Side effects of Ginger Tea:

1, Over consumption

Anything consumed over dose can be harmful to your health. Same way, Ginger tea should be consumed in limited quantities according to the requirements of a body. The over dose of ginger tea will affect the digestive system that results in symptoms like irritation in the mouth, diarrhea, nausea and even heartburn. Also, over consumption can lead to production of acids in the human body, resulting in acidity. Moreover, people who suffer from diabetes should evade too much consumption of ginger in any type, since it can reduce the blood sugar levels and cause hypoglycemia.

2, Blood Thinners and Disorders

Taking blood thinners is unsuited with any type of ginger root use. This consists of analgesics like aspirin or ibuprofen. As well, people taking medications for high blood pressure should not eat ginger in any form, since it could lower the blood pressure and causes heart palpitations. Ginger root interferes with the function of parts of the blood known as platelets that cause hemoglobin to congeal. Complications from consuming this plant occur in people with blood disorders like hemophilia. So, consult the physician before consuming ginger tea.

3, Sleep Issues

Consuming ginger tea might cause restlessness and sleeplessness. Drinking ginger tea before going to sleep should be avoided as it will ‘kill’ sleep for some. You would not be able to sleep for a very long time; hence you may experience heartburn that endangers your life.

4, Anesthesia

People, who drink ginger tea just earlier than a surgery or have been consuming it since long period, will be in danger because drugs administered for anesthesia reacts with ginger tea. Consequently, the patient will suffer from difficulty in healing from photosensitive reactions, wounds, or bleeding because of interaction to anticoagulants. So, many doctors recommend stopping the intake of ginger at least 1 week before the surgery.

5, Gallstones

Ginger can be taken by gallstones patients only after careful consultation with a nutritionally oriented doctor because side effects are probable. Bile production, for people with gallstones is very painful. Ginger promotes bile production, which worsens the condition.

6, Stomach Upset

In spite of being used in the treatment of nausea, taking large amount of ginger tea on an empty stomach could produce gastrointestinal upset as per the University of Maryland Medical Center. Ginger tea dosing guidelines differ from person to person and the problem being treated, as a result it becomes hard to say which level of ginger tea causes gastrointestinal upset for a person.

7, Pregnancy

Ginger use and Pregnancy is a controversial topic. Ginger tea is not recommended to pregnant women as it is rumored to be a substance that is toxic to the unborn child, though a few medical practitioners advise ginger tea as a medicine for morning sickness. Traditional Chinese herbalists view its usage as hazardous to the health of mother as well as fetus, probably with a miscarriage. It is always better to take ginger tea during pregnancy only after consulting with doctor.

25 comments:

I love ginger! It's one of my favorite spices. I use it in an herbal tea that I drink every morning, in addition to seasoning food with it, whenever possible. Candied ginger is a wonderful treat and helps settle my stomach. Ginger is also good for alleviating flatulence. Glad to hear it getting its due!

believe me when i say Haritha appreciates this ginger info. Thumb's up

Thank you so much.
I remembered an old wives tale from when I was a little girl with regard Ginger, lemon, honey and some boiling water for a nagging cough...and has cured me of the cough. I then googled it to see if there were other benefits to ginger and were amazed. So thanks for the article.

Excellent effects on my jointpain,high bp,heaviness,

I take this to prevent motion sickness.

I take high blood pressure medication. Would taking I. Cup a day affect me

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Many thanks with all the information regarding the Ginger benefits.

I drink it to help with the problems i have with irritable bowel syndrome. It works better than medication :)

Thanks, more beneficial to me and to my family.

I suffered over many winter from cold bones and Ginger has made a big difference in my circulation.. Am too hot now my boyfriend says lol

I drink it moderately to avoid over consumption and get all the healthy benefits.

Hello! Just wanted to mention that ginger tea can help induce menstruation because it causes uterine contractions. That being said, it can also cause miscarriage if consumed while pregnant...I highly recommend taking down the morning sickness tip.

Hi, Dear

I am not recommended must drinking ginger tea for morning sickness. Pregnant woman should consult doctor before taking any home remedies. This is because ginger tea is boon for someone while danger for another one. Only your physician can tell you what is right for you. And moderation use is not always dangerous.

Does ginger tea in any way helps to fight kidney related diseases?

I searched everywhere for a comment about how ginger affects sleep and finally I found it here. I've taken ginger pills before sleep and it seems it was not a good idea because it made me too alert. Everywhere I see recommendations about taking ginger before sleep, and that is completely wrong!

I have to agree with you too Helen. I love ginger tea I take this along with turmeric as well as use my power strips for detoxification, flexibility, and pain relief when doing my morning exercises...

I ate ginger root, and ended upnwith high bp and horrible palpitations, i thiught i was havibg a stroke, its happend 3 times, and after i had bad diarrhea, 2 mo after i took a bite from a ginger cookie and happened again same symptoms, i ended up calling an ambulace, my heart rate was 150,its was terrible, now im scared like fire from it, could this be an allergy? I didnt have gives or sweeling, just heart palpitations and high bp, and a weird feeling throughout my body, heavy legs too and hyperventilation!

Hi, Ginger is not good for who have heart stroke or high bp. According to your symptoms it clearly seen that you are allergic to ginger tea. Please consult your doctor before taking any dose.

Leticia: You should not take ginger tea. It may harm you in your higher blood pressure...

I dont have heart problems at all, im 33 yr s old, and had a baby, when i was pregnant i drank ginger tea and helped with nausia, dont know what happened now, whay it causea all of these symptoms!

If you are pure imbalanced cough dosha only then ginger is beneficial to you. But if you also imbalance in Vata and or Pitta then doctor consult must be needed,

I dont understand what u mean?

Dude i am talking with reference of Indian Ayurveda....

Every person should always consult their physician and or pharmacist regarding interaction with medication and any over the counter medication including herbs. Some foods will counter act the medication.

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